Delhi : Indian badminton had mixed fortunes at the BWF World Championships here on Wednesday as two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and rising men’s singles star Ayush Shetty advanced to the pre-quarterfinals, while Lakshya Sen suffered a shock second-round defeat against USA’s Garret Tan.
Sen, a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, was unable to cope with Tan’s pace, attacking game and deceptive strokeplay, going down 21-19, 19-21, 17-21 in a closely fought men’s singles contest lasting three games.
Tan, a former world junior No. 1, repeatedly targeted Sen’s backhand rear corner and used powerful overhead and jump smashes to keep the Indian under pressure. Tan made a quick start, racing to a 4-1 lead, but Sen fought back as the opening game developed into an intense battle. The players remained level at 18-18 before Sen found the crucial points to take the lead.
Tan responded strongly after the change of ends, taking a 4-0 advantage and controlling the rallies. Although Sen fought back from 15-20 and saved four game points, the American eventually forced a decider.
Tan again seized control in the third game, moving 12-4 ahead. Sen showed tremendous fighting spirit to reduce the deficit to 15-17, but the American held his nerve in the closing stages. After Tan earned four match points, Sen slipped while attempting to reach a shot near the net, allowing his opponent to finish the contest.
“It was a very tough match. I gave my all whatever I had in my tank,” Sen said afterwards. He admitted he was physically exhausted in the deciding game and credited Tan for producing a solid performance.
“It is a big tournament, it would hurt probably more, but we have some big tournaments coming up, so will prepare for that,” he added.
Sindhu, meanwhile, continued her quest for an unprecedented sixth World Championships medal with a comfortable 21-16, 21-17 victory over Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang. The ninth-seeded Indian, who won the world title in 2019, controlled the match and secured her place in the last 16. She will next face China’s third seed Wang Zhi Yi in a major test.
Young Indian Ayush Shetty also advanced with an impressive 21-8, 21-10 win over Sri Lanka’s Dumindu Abeywickrama. The Indian will now face Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in the pre-quarterfinals.
In men’s doubles, fifth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty progressed after receiving a walkover from Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle. The Scottish pair withdrew after Dunn suffered a right ankle injury during his mixed doubles match earlier in the day.
Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila also advanced in mixed doubles, defeating Macau’s Leong Iok Chong and Ng Weng Chi 21-11, 21-11.
However, debutant Unnati Hooda’s campaign ended after she squandered an opening-game advantage against Canada’s 12th seed Michelle Li, losing 21-11, 9-21, 21-23. Men’s doubles pair Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun also bowed out after losing 17-21, 14-21 to Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju.
There was another major upset as Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke defeated All England champion Lin Chun-yi of Chinese Taipei 13-21, 21-17, 21-11.
Despite Sen’s early exit, Sindhu’s progress and the advancement of Shetty, Satwik-Chirag and the mixed doubles pair ensured India remained strongly represented as the championships moved into the knockout stages.
