Japan Open Badminton: PV Sindhu looks to improve Saina Nehwal withdraws

PV Sindhu looks to improve Saina withdraws, Sindhu will look for redemption at the Japan Open BWF Super-750 Tournament in Tokyo on Wednesday Sindhu had lost the Indonesia Open final to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi on Sunday Nehwal has been nursing several injuries and is focusing more on getting into shape for the World Championships next month

The Indian had lost the Indonesia Open final to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi on Sunday and will be keen to avenge that defeat if the draw holds good and they clash in the quarterfinals in Tokyo on Friday. Before that Sindhu has to get past Chinese youngsters Han Yue and probably Xiao Xin Chen in the first two rounds. Overall it was a good tournament for me at Indonesia. I hope to take this confidence forward and do well at Japan.

Meanwhile, Saina has pulled out of the tournament at the last minute. The 29-year-old has been nursing several injuries and is focusing more on getting into shape for the World Championships next month.

India’s top men’s singles shuttler Kidambi Srikanth opens against HS Prannoy on Wednesday. Though Srikanth enjoys a 4-1 win-loss record, the latter was in great touch against second seed Shi Yu Qi of China last week. Prannoy, who has slowed down due to injuries, said Really proud of myself playing at this level.

Five Indian doubles teams have qualified for this tournament. In men’s doubles Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy face Sze Fei Goh and Nur Izzudin of Malaysia while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chiraj Shetty play Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge of England.

The women’s doubles duo of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy begin against South Korea’s So Yeong Kim and Hee Yong Kong. In mixed doubles, Ashwini and Satwik play Germans Marvin Seidel and Linda Efler while Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki face top seeds Si Wei Zheng and Ya Qiong Huang of China.

Indian juniors tumbled out of the Asia Junior Championships in Suzhou, China on Monday. They lost 0-3 to Indonesia in the quarterfinals of the mixed team event. Maisnam Meiraba and Malvika Bansod lost their singles ties before the mixed doubles team of Tanisha Crasto and Sathish Kumar Karunakaran lost to Leo Rolly Carnando and Indah Cahya Sari Jamil. Meirba lost to Bobby Setiabudi 17-21, 21-15, 11-21 and Malvika was defeated by Putri Kusuma Wardini 22-20, 21-7.