PV Sindhu marches on, Srikanth and Prannoy fall as Arctic Open brings India contrasting fortunes

Badminton Asian Games: PV Sindhu (Image: Reuters) PV Sindhu again showed her ability to turn up the intensity when it mattered most as she overcame Japan’s Riko Gunji in straight games to reach the women’s singles quarter-finals at the 2026 Arctic Open on Thursday.The sixth-seeded Indian, a two-time Olympic medallist, won 21-15, 21-15 in 49 minutes at the BWF Super 500 event. Sindhu will now take on top seed and former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand for a place in the semi-finals.

Sindhu turns it on at crucial moments

The opening game was balanced, neither player was able to establish a clear advantage. Gunji stayed by Sindhu’s side until the score reached 15-all. Then the Indian found another device.Sindhu reeled off six straight points to end Gunji’s challenge and take the opening game 21-15. The second match took place in a similar spirit. Gunji again stayed within touching distance with both players at 13-all.But Sindhu remained calm as the pressure mounted. The Indian won eight of the next 10 points to close out the match 21-15 and seal her place in the last eight.The win sets up a tough quarter-final test against Intanon, who enters the clash as the tournament’s top seed and former world champion.

Srikanth squanders the early advantage

It was a day of contrasts for India’s singles, with World Championship medalists Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy suffering first-round defeats. World No. 31 Srikanth made an encouraging start against Canada’s World No. 34 Brian Yang, taking the opening game 21-15.However, Yang responded strongly and gradually took control of the competition. The Canadian won the second game by the same margin 21-15 before completing the comeback with a 21-13 win in the decider.Thus ended Srikanth’s challenge after a three-match battle.

Prannoy outplayed Antonsen

Prannoy, who is ranked 38th in the world, had a tougher outing against the fourth seeded Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen. The Indian struggled to match Antonsen’s pace and consistency as the Dane dominated proceedings from the start.Antonsen closed out the match 21-10, 21-9 to send Prannoy out in the opening round.