Indian shuttlers made a strong start at the Singapore Open badminton tournament, with HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and doubles specialist Dhruv Kapila advancing to the next round after winning their respective first-round matches on Wednesday.
HS Prannoy's Commanding Victory
HS Prannoy, the world number 9 from India, displayed his class as he defeated France's Toma Junior Popov in straight games. The Indian ace won 21-15, 21-12 in a match that lasted just 38 minutes. Prannoy, who has been in fine form this season, dominated the rallies with his powerful smashes and precise net play. He will next face either Japan's Kenta Nishimoto or a qualifier in the second round.
Lakshya Sen Bounces Back
Lakshya Sen, the 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, also progressed after overcoming a tough challenge from Malaysia's Cheam June Wei. The Indian, ranked 13th in the world, won 21-19, 18-21, 21-14 in a grueling 65-minute encounter. Sen showed great resilience after losing the second game, regrouping to take the decider comfortably. He is set to meet either Indonesia's Shesar Hiren Rhustavito or a qualifier in the next round.
Dhruv Kapila's Doubles Triumph
In men's doubles, Dhruv Kapila, partnering with B. Sumeeth Reddy, registered a hard-fought victory over the Malaysian pair of Tan Kian Meng and Tan Wee Kiong. The Indian duo won 21-18, 19-21, 21-16 in a match that showcased their tenacity and teamwork. Kapila and Reddy will now face the Indonesian pair of Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana in the second round.
Other Indian players in action include women's singles star PV Sindhu, who is seeded third, and doubles pairs Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. The tournament, a BWF World Tour Super 500 event, is being held in Singapore from June 6 to 11.
