New Delhi: Indian shuttler PV Sindhu was ousted from the India Open on Wednesday, while compatriots Srikanth Kidambi and HS Prannoy advanced to the Round of 16 with victories over Tharun Mannepalli and Lee Cheuk Yiu, respectively.
Sindhu, fresh from a semifinal finish at the Malaysia Super 1000 last week, started strongly but could not sustain her momentum. She narrowly took the first game 22-20 before dropping the next two 12-21, 15-21 to Vietnam’s Thuy Linh Nguyen in a 68-minute contest. Reflecting on her performance, Sindhu acknowledged the need for greater consistency, saying, “Small mistakes in critical moments become decisive. After losing a point, I need to reset quickly and be ready for the next rally.”
Srikanth Kidambi, on the other hand, overcame a tense encounter with fellow Indian Tharun Mannepalli, winning 15-21, 21-6, 21-19. Trailing 17-19 in the decider, the former world No. 1 steadied himself to close out the match, displaying composure he admitted had been missing in recent seasons. Srikanth pointed out the challenges players face outside the top 32 rankings, noting that access to high-level tournaments has become increasingly competitive.
HS Prannoy also booked his place in the Round of 16 with a 22-20, 21-18 win over last year’s runner-up Lee Cheuk Yiu. The 2023 World Championships bronze medallist, who faced mental fatigue from injuries and a tough previous season, described the victory as confidence-boosting. He credited national coach Pullela Gopichand’s guidance, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and patient during challenging phases.
Looking ahead, Srikanth expressed excitement at the prospect of competing at home in the upcoming World Championships, drawing motivation from performing in front of Indian fans. Prannoy and Sindhu, meanwhile, will look to regroup and refocus on their next opportunities in the tournament.
The opening day highlighted a mix of resilience and setbacks for India’s top shuttlers, with promising performances from Srikanth and Prannoy providing encouragement despite Sindhu’s early exit.
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