P.V. Sindhu made a commanding start to her Arctic Open Super 500 campaign on Tuesday, comfortably reaching the second round of the women’s singles event as India experienced mixed results across categories.
The two-time Olympic medallist needed only 28 minutes to defeat Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang in straight games. Sindhu dominated the contest 21-8, 21-11 to secure her place in the next round.
The 31-year-old former World champion, who claimed the Japan Open title in July, will next meet either Chinese Taipei’s Lin Hsiang Ti or Japan’s Riko Gunji.
While Sindhu progressed without much trouble, fellow Indians Unnati Hooda and Ashmita Chaliha were eliminated after closely fought three-game matches.
Hooda lost 16-21, 21-15, 22-24 against China’s Han Qian Xi. Chaliha also pushed her opponent to a deciding game before seventh seed Line Christophersen of Denmark eventually prevailed 21-7, 14-21, 26-24.
Malvika Bansod successfully negotiated the qualifying stage but could not extend her run in the main draw. She defeated Chinese Taipei’s Sung Shuo Yun 21-15, 14-21, 21-14 in qualifying before facing Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour in the opening round.
Gilmour ended Bansod’s campaign with a 21-18, 21-13 victory.
There was better news for India in men’s singles qualifying, with Tharun Mannepalli and Rounak Chouhan both earning spots in the main draw.
Mannepalli overcame Belgian second seed Julien Carraggi in three games, winning 21-12, 19-21, 21-13. His reward is a main-draw meeting with Denmark’s Magnus Johannesen.
Chouhan also had to battle through three games, recovering after losing the opener to defeat Israel’s Daniil Dubovenko 18-21, 21-17, 21-19. He will next face China’s Weng Hong Yang.
Elsewhere, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj was knocked out in qualifying.
India also suffered defeats in the doubles competitions. Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu and Pochana Arjun Reddy were eliminated from men’s doubles, while Ishaan Bhatnagar and Shruti Mishra exited in the first round of mixed doubles.
