New Delhi: P V Sindhu’s India Open campaign came to an early halt on Wednesday, but Kidambi Srikanth and H S Prannoy ensured India ended the day with reasons to cheer at the Super 750 event in New Delhi.
Sindhu, buoyed by a semifinal finish at the Malaysia Super 1000 last week, started strongly against Vietnam’s Thuy Linh Nguyen and claimed the opening game. But the momentum slipped as Nguyen controlled the rallies in the final two games to register a 20-22, 21-12, 21-15 upset in a 68-minute contest.
Former world number one Kidambi Srikanth survived a stern challenge from compatriot Tharun Mannepalli, fighting back from a game down to prevail 15-21, 21-6, 21-19. His experience proved telling in the closing stages of the decider.
Malvika Bansod, returning from injury, also impressed with her control and composure, defeating Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei 21-18, 21-19.
Prannoy, a late entrant into the draw, capitalised fully on his opportunity. The veteran got the better of last year’s finalist Lee Cheuk Yiu 22-20, 21-18 to move into round two, where eighth seed and former world champion Loh Kean Yew awaits.
In another notable performance, junior world silver medallist Tanvi Sharma showed her promise before going down 20-22, 21-18, 13-21 against world number two Wang Zhi Yi.
India enjoyed success in women’s doubles as Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand eased past Thailand’s Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai 21-15, 21-11. The in-form pair, recently crowned Syed Modi champions, next face seventh-seeded Chinese duo Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min.
Mixed doubles proved a tougher outing for the hosts, with three Indian pairs bowing out. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto fell 15-21, 14-21 to Thailand’s Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde lost 19-21, 14-21 to Germany’s Marvin Seidel and Thuc Phuong Nguyen.
With Sindhu out, the focus now shifts to Srikanth, Prannoy and the Jolly-Gopichand combination as India aims to maintain its presence through the latter stages of the tournament.
Meanwhile, World No. 3 Anders Antonsen has pulled out of the India Open 2026, delivering a major setback to the tournament after raising concerns over New Delhi’s worsening air quality. The Danish ace, who was expected to be one of the top contenders, chose to withdraw ahead of his opening match, pointing to unsafe pollution levels in the capital.
This is now the third year in a row that Antonsen has opted out of the Super 750 event due to environmental conditions, reigniting discussions about whether Delhi is suitable to host major sporting competitions during peak winter smog.
