7 hours Ago
The two-time Olympic medallist didn't drop a single game throughout her Japan Open run, capping it off with a win over three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi in the final. Now she'll be hoping to keep that momentum going in China, a country where she's tasted success before, having lifted the China Open trophy back in 2016.
Sindhu begins her campaign against fellow Indian Unnati Hooda. Should she progress, a second-round meeting with China's fourth seed Chen Yu Fei could be on the cards. Chen, the reigning Tokyo Olympic champion, was forced to retire mid-match during her Japan Open semifinal due to a hamstring problem, and her participation in China hinges on whether she's recovered enough to face Japan's Natsuki Nidaira in her opener.
Devika Sihag is the other Indian name in the women's singles field. She takes on Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan in round one.
Satwik-Chirag Opt Out to Prioritise Fitness
There's disappointing news on the doubles front, though. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won't be teeing up in China this week. The pair, who claimed the Singapore Open Super 750 title last month, had already pulled out of the Japan Open after Satwik's shoulder trouble resurfaced. The duo has now decided to skip China altogether, choosing instead to focus fully on getting back to peak fitness before the World Championships, which are set to be hosted in India for the first time in 17 years.
Lakshya, Prannoy Lead Men's Singles Push
India's men's singles hopes rest on Paris Olympics semifinalist Lakshya Sen, along with world No. 24 Ayush Shetty and the seasoned HS Prannoy. Lakshya, looking to put his early exit at the Japan Open behind him, will square off against Japan's Yushi Tanaka. Ayush takes on Indonesia's Alwi Farhan, while Prannoy, who claimed bronze at the 2023 World Championships, meets Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao.
In mixed doubles, Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila open against China's fifth-seeded pairing of Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde face a tough opener against top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping.
The men's doubles duo of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun will begin their campaign against China's fourth seeds, Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang.
