Picture Credit: Twitter
The first day of the 2022 Indonesia Open did not go as planned for the Indian contingent as top players lost their first-round games. The biggest shocking defeat was for two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu in the Women’s Singles game. Sai Praneeth B also could not hold the fort against Danish shuttler Hans-Kristian Vittinghus. However, the Women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponappa and N Sikki Reddy gave some joy by progressing to the next round.
India’s only entrant in the women’s singles category, PV Sindhu had a rough day against Chinese shuttler He Bing Jiao as the Indian lost the match in straight games. Seventh-seed Sindhu looked out of touch against World No.9 Bing Jiao and lost the match 14-21, 18-21 in 47 minutes. By virtue of this win, world No. 9 Bing Jiao, whom Sindhu had defeated at the Badminton Asia Championship, lead the Indian 10-8 on the head-to-head record.
Another disappointment came India’s way when B Sai Praneeth lost in the Men’s Singles category. Praneeth lost to Vittinghus 16-21, 19-21 in 45 minutes. The mixed doubles pair of Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto faced a similar fate, crashing out in the opening round after losing 14-21 11-21 to the Hong Kong combination of Chang Tak Ching and NG Wing Yung Hong in just 32 minutes.
The mixed doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy could also do nothing but lose to the Japanese duo of Hoki Takuro and Yugo Kobayashi. The Indian pair was humiliated by the Japanese counterpart as they lost 8-21, 11-21 in 26 minutes.
The two wins on Day 1 came from the Women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponappa and N Sikki Reddy who defeated the compatriot duo of Srivedya Gurazada and Ishika Jaiswal and Men's Singles player Sameer Verma. Ponappa and Sikki Reddy beat Gurazada and Jaiswal 21-15, 21-8 in 27 minutes. Meanwhile, Sameer Verma defeated Thomas Rouxel in straight games of 21-19, 21-15 in 45 minutes.
With Day 1 done and dusted for India, all eyes will be on Lakshya Sen who will take on compatriot HS Prannoy in his Round of 32 match. Kidambi Srikanth will also be in action against Brice Leverdez.