India shutters had a disappointing outing on the opening day of China Open 2023, a Super 1000 tournament in Changzhou, China. Star shutters, including World Championships bronze medalist, HS Prannoy were knocked out in the first round of the prestigious competition, sparking concerns ahead of Asian Games 2023.
Notably, 2-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth had pulled out of the China Open to give themselves time to prepare for the Asian Games, considering their dip in form.
HS Prannoy, fresh from his success at the World Championships in Copenhagen last month, suffered a shock first-round exit after going down in three games to Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong here on Tuesday.
The world number six Indian toiled hard for one hour and six minutes before losing 12-21, 21-13, 18-21 to the Malaysian, who is ranked 22nd.
Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen also crashed out of the tournament in the first round after losing to Anders Antonsen of Denmark in three games — 21-23, 21-16, 9-21 — in one hour and 18 minutes.
Priyanshu Rajawat then went down 13-21, 24-26 to Indonesia’s Shesar Hiren Rhustavito. With that, the Indian challenge ended in the men’s singles.
The women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lost to top seeds Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan of China 18-21, 11-21. (With PTI Inputs)
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