PV Sindhu leads India’s China Open challenge after a historic triumph at the Japan Open

Fresh from a history of scripting the Japan Open, PV Sindhu will spearhead India’s campaign in the China Open Super 1000 starting on Tuesday. However, the country’s challenge in the men’s doubles will be without Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, with the former continuing his recovery from a recurring shoulder injury. Sindhu heads to Changzhou in red-hot form after becoming the first Indian to win the Japan Open title, ending a 19-month wait for a major trophy.

The two-time Olympic medalist enjoyed a flawless run in Tokyo, defeated three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17 in the finals and won all of her matches in straight games. The triumph also marked Sindhu’s first Super 750 title and a significant confidence boost ahead of the World Championships in New Delhi next month.

The 2016 China Open champion will open her campaign against compatriot Unnati Hooda. The win could set up a second-round clash against fourth seed Chen Yu Fei if the Chinese star recovers from a hamstring injury that forced her to withdraw during the Japan Open semi-finals.

Devika Sihag is the next Indian in the women’s singles draw and will face Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the opening round. India will be hoping to build on a productive stretch on the BWF World Tour, with Sindhu looking to extend the form that has reignited faith in her ability to take on the world’s best again.

SATWIK-CHIRAG BEFORE THE WORLD MAKE FITNESS A PRIORITY

India’s biggest absence in China will be star men’s doubles team Satwik and Chirag. The pair, who captured the Singapore Open Super 750 title last month, pulled out of the Japan Open after Satwik’s nagging shoulder injury resurfaced during the opening round match.

With the World Cup set to return to India after 17 years, the pair have decided to focus on regaining full fitness rather than risk aggravating the injury further.

The Indian men’s singles challenge will be led by Paris Olympics semi-finalist Lakshya Sen, world No. 24 Ayush Shetty and veteran HS Prannoy. Lakshya starts against Japan’s Yushi Tanaka after an early exit from Tokyo, while Ayush faces Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan. Prannoy, the bronze medalist from the 2023 World Championships, will take on Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao.

In the mixed doubles, Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila take on China’s fifth-seeded pair Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde take on top seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping. Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun will take on China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in the men’s doubles opener.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

20 Jul 2026 19:22 IST