PV Sindhu leads India's challenge at China Open after historic Japan Open triumph
Fresh from scripting history at the Japan Open, PV Sindhu will spearhead India’s campaign at the China Open Super 1000 tournament starting on Tuesday. However, the country’s challenge in the men’s doubles will be without Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, with the former continuing his recovery from a recurring shoulder injury. Sindhu heads to Changzhou in red-hot form after becoming the first Indian to win the Japan Open title, ending a 19-month wait for a major trophy.
The two-time Olympic medallist enjoyed a flawless run in Tokyo, beating three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the final and winning all her matches in straight games. The triumph also marked Sindhu’s first Super 750 title and provided a significant confidence boost ahead of the World Championships in New Delhi next month.
The 2016 China Open champion will begin her campaign against compatriot Unnati Hooda. A victory could set up a second-round clash against fourth seed Chen Yu Fei, provided the Chinese star recovers from the hamstring injury that forced her to retire during the Japan Open semi-finals.
Devika Sihag is the other Indian in the women’s singles draw and will face Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the opening round. India will hope to build on a productive stretch on the BWF World Tour, with Sindhu looking to extend the form that has reignited belief in her ability to challenge the world’s best once again.
SATWIK-CHIRAG PRIORITISE FITNESS AHEAD OF WORLDS
India’s biggest absentee in China will be the star men’s doubles pairing of Satwik and Chirag. The duo, who captured the Singapore Open Super 750 title last month, withdrew from the Japan Open after Satwik’s troublesome shoulder injury resurfaced during their opening-round match.
With the World Championships set to return to India after 17 years, the pair have chosen to focus on regaining full fitness rather than risk aggravating the injury further.
India’s men’s singles challenge will be led by Paris Olympics semifinalist Lakshya Sen, world No. 24 Ayush Shetty and veteran HS Prannoy. Lakshya opens against Japan’s Yushi Tanaka after an early exit in Tokyo, while Ayush faces Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan. Prannoy, the 2023 world championships bronze medallist, will take on Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao.
In mixed doubles, Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila face China’s fifth-seeded pair of Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde take on top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping. Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun will face China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in the men’s doubles opener.
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