New Delhi: Lakshya Sen launched his campaign at the India Open 2026 with a sharp straight-games victory over fellow Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty on Tuesday at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
The world No. 14 delivered a brisk 21-12, 21-15 result in just over half an hour to secure his place in the men’s singles second round. Sen was in command early, racing ahead in the opener with assertive shot-making and a strong lead that left his opponent chasing throughout.
Next up for the former Olympic semifinalist is Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto.
India’s campaign also enjoyed a bright start in the women’s doubles draw. Commonwealth Games bronze winners Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand registered a polished 21-15, 21-11 win over Thailand’s Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai. The young pair, currently ranked 21st in the world, now face a much tougher assignment against China’s top-10 duo Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min.
In a gripping all-Asian tussle elsewhere in the draw, Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra narrowly lost to Lui Lok and Tsang Hiu Yan of Hong Kong China in three hard-fought games, going down 21-11, 20-22, 24-22.
Results were mixed in the mixed doubles as Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K fell to Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Nami Matsuyama in straight games.
There was cheer again from the men’s doubles courts where MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan delivered a composed 21-15, 21-18 triumph over Malaysian contenders Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi. Their reward is a blockbuster second-round clash with China’s Paris 2024 silver medallists Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, according to reports.
The India Open shifts gears on Wednesday when two-time Olympic podium finisher PV Sindhu, Malvika Bansod, and top home favourites Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy begin their campaigns. Experienced singles names Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy also return to the spotlight.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt reopened debate around training conditions at the India Open, arguing that a change of venue has not solved what she considers to be unhealthy surroundings for athletes.
After booking her place in the second round, the world No. 20 said she welcomed the feel of the competition courts but remained disappointed with the broader environment. She noted that the warm-up zone and adjoining areas still felt cold, dusty, and uncomfortable. According to her, players were layering up in heavy winter clothing – jackets, gloves, and even hats – simply to stay warm before matches.
She acknowledged that organisers were working to improve facilities but insisted more progress was required.
The Badminton Association of India, however, strongly countered her assessment. Secretary General Sanjay Mishra said her remarks were general and misunderstood. He maintained that she had separately pointed out that the match courts inside the Indira Gandhi arena were in good shape.
Mishra added that her remarks on cold and dusty surroundings applied to the KD Jadhav complex – used only for training – rather than the India Open’s main competition hall.
