Satwik-Chirag, Sindhu aim big in Indonesia

Jakarta

India’s top badminton stars are all set for the Indonesia Open Super 1000 tournament, starting Tuesday (today). Leading the charge are doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. The former world No. 1 pair will begin their campaign against Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana at the iconic Istora Senayan arena.

Satwik and Chirag are coming off a semifinal finish at the Singapore Open. After recent injury setbacks, they are aiming to reclaim their 2023 Indonesia Open title. A win could set up a match against their old rivals, Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

P.V. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, is also eyeing a comeback. After struggling with a hamstring injury, she has faced early exits this year. But her performance last week showed improvement as she pushed Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei in a close battle. With new coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, Sindhu faces Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in a high-stakes first-round match.

In women’s singles, Anupama Upadhyaya plays Korea’s Kim Ga Eun, Rakshitha Sree meets Supanida Katethong of Thailand, and Malvika Bansod faces Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani.

H.S. Prannoy plays Alwi Farhan in men’s singles, while Lakshya Sen faces a tough test against world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi. Kiran George takes on Loh Kean Yew.

Women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand face Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto. Four Indian pairs will also compete in mixed doubles events.