India enjoyed a productive day at the Australian Open badminton tournament in Sydney as PV Sindhu and Tanvi Sharma progressed to the second round of the women’s singles competition, setting up all-Indian contests in the next stage.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu began her campaign with a comfortable straight-games victory over Peru’s Inés Castillo. The former world champion, ranked 10th in the world, controlled the match throughout and secured a 21-13, 21-11 win to advance.
Sindhu will next face fellow Indian Isharani Baruah in the pre-quarterfinals. Isharani, currently ranked 39th in the world, battled past China’s Han Qianxi in a three-game contest, winning 22-20, 10-21, 21-14.
Teenager Tanvi Sharma also produced an impressive performance to reach the second round. The reigning BWF World Junior Championships silver medallist defeated world No. 11 Chiu Pin-Chian of Chinese Taipei 21-12, 22-20 in one of the standout results of the opening round.
All-Indian clashes await in women’s singles
Tanvi’s reward is a meeting with compatriot Malvika Bansod, who came from a game down to beat Thailand’s Tonrug Saeheng 15-21, 21-7, 21-13.
With Sindhu facing Isharani and Tanvi taking on Malvika, India are guaranteed at least two representatives in the women’s singles quarter-finals.
However, it was a disappointing day in the men’s singles draw. Kiran George, Saneeth Dayanand and Tharun Mannepalli all suffered first-round defeats, ending India’s challenge in the discipline.
There was better news in men’s doubles, where MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan had already secured their place in the second round with a convincing opening-round victory.
Indian attention will now focus on the women’s singles competition, where multiple players remain in contention for a deep run at the BWF World Tour event.
