China Open 2026: PV Sindhu knocked out early after title win in Japan

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Indian badminton star PV Sindhu was unable to capitalise on an early lead, exiting the China Open after a three-game second-round defeat to home favourite and world number four Chen Yufei.

The double Olympic medalist succumbed to a 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 defeat in an encounter that stretched for nearly ninety minutes. The 30-year-old had arrived in China with strong momentum after claiming the Japan Open crown the previous week, which ended a prolonged title drought.

The intensity of the contest was clear right from the opening game, where Sindhu fought back from a 7-13 deficit to level the score at 16-16. The Indian star then reeled off five points to secure the opening game.

However, the tide turned in the second game as the Tokyo 2021 Olympic champion mounted a dramatic fightback. Sindhu squandered four game points at 20-16, allowing Chen to win six consecutive points and take the game 22-20.

The deciding game remained a tight, point-for-point contest for the majority of the duration. Tied at 17-17, Chen made the crucial breakthrough late in the game to seal the hard-earned victory.

Lakshay Sen and Ayush Shetty advance to the second round

In the men’s singles category, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty secured their spots in the second round. Paris 2024 semi-finalist Lakshya outlasted Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in a three-game battle, winning 22-20, 15-21, 21-14. Meanwhile, world No. 23 Ayush pulled off an impressive upset against Malaysia’s 11th-ranked Alwi Faran with a 21-17, 5-21, 21-17 victory. HS Prannoy, on the other hand, was eliminated from the competition on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, India suffered a rough outing across the doubles events, as every pair was knocked out in the first round.

In mixed doubles action, Olympic shuttler Tanisha Crasto and her partner Dhruv Kapila fell 21-18, 21-18 to the sixth-ranked Chinese pair of Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui. The duo of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde also bowed out in straight games, losing 21-9, 21-16 to the top seeds from China, Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping.

In the men’s doubles, MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan were beaten 21-16, 21-7 by the fourth-seeded Chinese combination of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang.

(With inputs from ANI)

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