The Thailand Open saw mixed results for India on Wednesday as PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the Round of 16 with convincing wins while Ayush Shetty suffered an early exit in Bangkok.
Former world number one Srikanth put in an impressive performance to beat eighth seed Loh Kean Yew of Singapore 21-14, 21-15 in just 30 minutes. In the rematch of the 2021 World Cup final, Srikanth controlled the rally from the start and rarely allowed the Singaporean to settle in the contest.
Srikanth, ranked 29th in the world, looked sharp throughout the match and comfortably handled short resistance from Loh at the end of the second game. The 2013 Thailand Open champion will face China’s Su Li Yang of Taipei in the second round.
Two-time Olympic medalist Sindhu also advanced without much trouble, beating China’s Tung Ciou-Tong 21-9, 21-12 in 33 minutes.
Sindhu, seeded sixth, dictated proceedings with her attacking play and maintained control throughout the contest to set up a round of 16 clash with Denmark’s Amalie Schulz. The Indian is aiming for her first BWF World Tour title from Syed Modi International in 2024.
India also got a breakthrough moment through Devika Sihag, who recorded her first win at the Super 500 level. The 21-year-old defeated Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira 21-19, 13-21, 21-15 in a match lasting one hour and 11 minutes.
However, Ayush was unable to join his senior compatriots in the next round despite pushing Japan’s sixth seed Kodai Naraoka in a hard-fought encounter.
The Badminton Asia Championships silver medalist lost the opening game 13-21 before storming back to win the second 21-17. But Naraoka dominated the decider, completing a 21-13, 17-21, 21-4 victory in 59 minutes.
India’s campaign also ended for Tharun Mannepalli, who lost 12-21, 16-21 to Japan’s Koki Watanabe.
Teenagers Unnati Hooda and Anmol Kharb showed promise despite losing to higher ranked opponents.
Unnati won her first match against fourth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand before the home favorite recovered to win 11-21, 21-17, 21-16.
Anmol came close to upsetting reigning champion and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Chen Yu Fei. The 19-year-old led 11-2 in the decider before the Chinese star fought back to seal a 19-21, 21-13, 21-18 win.
Later in the day, Lakshya Sen, Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod and Isharani Baruah were scheduled to launch their singles campaigns.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
13 May 2026 14:54 IST
