NEW DELHI: Fresh from a memorable double triumph at the Hylo Open, India’s badminton stars Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu will be missing from the Korea Open, leaving the responsibility of leading the Indian challenge to experienced HS Prannoy and emerging youngster Tanvi Sharma at the USD 500,000 Super 500 tournament beginning in Yeosu on Tuesday.Lakshya, who ended his year-long title drought with a commanding victory over Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in the men’s singles final in Germany on Sunday, has withdrawn from the Korea Open despite being scheduled to face China’s Dong Tian Yao in the opening round.Sindhu, who also clinched the women’s singles crown at the Hylo Open with a straight-game victory over Denmark’s Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt, has opted to skip the Korea Open and the subsequent Japan Masters as she looks to take a break following her title-winning campaign.The absence of both singles champions is a setback for India’s campaign, but it also provides an opportunity for other players to make their mark on the international circuit.
Prannoy, Tanvi lead singles challenge
With Lakshya out, former world No. 1 Prannoy will shoulder much of the responsibility in the men’s singles. The 33-year-old, a bronze medallist at the 2023 World Championships, will open his campaign against South Korea’s Yoo Tae Bin.Prannoy will be keen to make a deep run in a competitive men’s singles draw featuring Chinese Taipei’s top seed Chou Tien Chen, Japan’s third seed Kodai Naraoka and Canada’s Victor Lai.In women’s singles, attention will be on Tanvi Sharma, who has emerged as one of India’s promising young players after winning the Taipei Open earlier this year. She begins her campaign against Japan’s Manami Suizu.Malvika Bansod faces a challenging opening-round assignment against fourth seed Sim Yu Jin of South Korea, while Anmol Kharb will look to build on her impressive semifinal run at the Hylo Open when she takes on Canada’s Rachel Chan.The 19-year-old’s performance in Germany, where she reached the last four before losing to Sindhu, will provide confidence heading into the Korean tournament.
India have entries in doubles too
India will also have representation in the doubles events. Sonali Singh and Ritika Thaker will compete in women’s doubles, taking on Australia’s Laudya Chelsea Griselda and Nozomi Shimizu.In mixed doubles, Dhruv Rawat and K. Maneesha will face China’s seventh seeds Zhu Yi Jun and Li Qian.With the two biggest Indian singles names sitting out after their title-winning exploits in Germany, the Korea Open presents an opportunity for Prannoy, Tanvi and the other Indian challengers to step up and keep the country’s momentum going on the BWF World Tour.
