Hong Kong Open: Priyanshu Rajawat, Aakarshi Kashyap make first-round exit; Lakshya Sen withdraws

Indian shuttlers Priyanshu Rajawat and Aakarshi Kashyap lost their respective opening-round matches in the ongoing Hong Kong Open 2023 on Wednesday.

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In the first round match, Priyanshu lost to Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama by 21-13, 21-14 in the men's singles match. While in her Hong Kong Open first-round women's singles match, Aakarshi lost to Yvonne Li 21-18, 21-10.

On the other hand, Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Gayatri Gopichand and Tressa Jolly reached the round of 16 in the women's doubles event of the Hong Kong Open on Tuesday. Gopichand and Jolly defeated Debora Jille and Cheryl Seinen 21-15, 16-21, 21-16 in a match that lasted 54 minutes. The Indian badminton players were in trouble at the start of the match and were trailing 4-7 after early clashes. However, Gopichand and Jolly took control of the situation and leveled the score at 8-8 and won the first game to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

The second game was a tough contest, but the Indian team lost eight of the last 11 points. In the third game, Gayatri and Tressa made a comeback and took an 11-7 lead at halftime. The Indians maintained their lead at the change of ends and advanced to the round of 16.

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None of the five Indian men's singles badminton players could reach the preliminary round of the Hong Kong Open. Lakshya Sen withdrew from the tournament before his match and gave a walkover to his first-round opponent Su Li Yang of Chinese Taipei. Lakshya was viewed as India's biggest bet for the title in the absence of HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, and PV Sindhu. The trio is part of the national camp for next week's Asian Games. The world no. 12 was also looking to break into the top 10 by winning this title.

Meanwhile, Kiran George started his qualifying campaign with a 21-15, 21-17 win over Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei. Asian Games-bound Malvika Bansod progressed to the main draw of the women's singles. She defeated Thailand's Pitchamon Opatniputh 21-14, 11-10. The tournament started on September 12 and will continue till September 17.