Calgary: Indian badminton stars PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen made an impressive start to their campaign at the Canada Open 2023 BWF Super 500 event in Calgary. Both player’s secured victories in their respective opening-round matches, advancing to the second round.
PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist and currently ranked 15th in the women’s singles rankings, comfortably defeated Talia Ng of Canada, ranked 62nd in the world, with a score of 21-16, 21-9. In a competitive first game, Sindhu’s powerful smashes helped her gain the upper hand, and she continued her dominance in the second game, securing a convincing victory.
Sindhu’s next challenge in the round of 16 will be Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira, ranked 27th in the world. The former world champion will aim to maintain her momentum and progress further in the tournament.
In an impressive upset, Commonwealth Games 2022 champion Lakshya Sen shocked fourth-ranked Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand with a score of 21-18, 21-15, in a hard-fought men’s singles match. Sen displayed exceptional composure and skill throughout the encounter, eventually emerging victorious after a closely contested battle.
With this win, Lakshya Sen sets up a second-round clash with Brazil’s Ygor Coelho, who defeated India’s B. Sai Praneeth in straight sets (21-12, 21-17). Sen will look to continue his stellar form and secure another notable victory in his quest for glory at the Canada Open.
Unfortunately, not all Indian players had a successful outing in the tournament. Gadde Ruthvika Shivani faced a defeat in the women’s singles first round, losing to Thailand’s Supanida Katethong with a scoreline of 21-12, 21-3. Commonwealth Games 2014 gold medalist Parupalli Kashyap also suffered an early exit in the men’s singles qualifying round.
The Canada Open 2023 is the fourth Super 500 tournament on the 2023 BWF World Tour calendar, following the Indonesia Masters, Malaysia Masters, and Thailand Open. As the competition progresses, fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling badminton action and hope for further successes for Indian players in the upcoming rounds of the tournament.
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