New Delhi, 13 May (H.S.):

India’s leading shuttlers PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the pre‑quarterfinals of the Thailand Open 2026 on Wednesday, while emerging talent Ayush Shetty was eliminated in the opening round.

Two‑time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu produced a commanding performance in the women’s singles first round, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Tung Chiu‑tong 21‑9, 21‑12 in just 33 minutes. The sixth seed will next face Denmark’s Amalie Schulz as she pursues her first title since the 2024 Syed Modi International.

In the men’s singles, Kidambi Srikanth defeated Singapore’s eighth seed Loh Kean Yew 21‑14, 21‑15 to reach the last 16 — a repeat encounter of the 2021 World Championship final. The former Thailand Open champion (2013) will meet Chinese Taipei’s Su Li‑yang in the next round.

Ayush Shetty, the Asian Championships silver medallist, suffered a first‑round defeat to Japan’s Kodai Naraoka. After losing the opening game, Ayush rallied to take the second and force a decider, but Naraoka dominated the third to prevail 21‑13, 17‑21, 21‑4.

Young Indian women Unnati Huddar and Anmol Kharb also bowed out in tough three‑game encounters. Huddar won the opening game against Thailand’s Pornpawi Chochuwong but eventually lost 11‑21, 21‑17, 21‑16 to the fourth seed. Nineteen‑year‑old Anmol Kharb of Faridabad pushed reigning champion China’s Chen Yu‑fei hard; despite leading 11‑2 in the decider, Kharb was overtaken as Chen mounted a comeback to win 19‑21, 21‑13, 21‑18.

Later in the day, India’s Lakshya Sen, Tanvi Sharma, Devika Sihag, Malvika Bansod and Isharani Barua were scheduled to contest their singles matches, while three Indian pairs were due to compete in the mixed doubles events.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar