Thailand Open: PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth storm into round of 16; Ayush crashes out
P. V. Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth entered the round of 16 of the Thailand Open with straight-game wins on Wednesday, while Ayush Shetty crashed out in Bangkok. Devika Sihag also impressed by registering her first Super 500-level win.
Thailand Open saw mixed results for India on Wednesday as P. V. Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the round of 16 with convincing wins, while Ayush Shetty suffered an early exit in Bangkok.
Former world No. 1 Srikanth produced an impressive display to beat Singapore’s eighth seed Loh Kean Yew 21-14, 21-15 in just 30 minutes. In a rematch of the 2021 World Championships final, Srikanth controlled the rallies from the start and rarely allowed the Singaporean to settle into the contest.
Ranked 29th in the world, Srikanth looked sharp throughout the match and comfortably handled the brief resistance from Loh late in the second game. The 2013 Thailand Open champion will next face Chinese Taipei’s Su Li Yang in the second round.
Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu also progressed without much trouble, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Tung Ciou-Tong 21-9, 21-12 in 33 minutes.
Seeded sixth, Sindhu dictated proceedings with her attacking play and maintained control throughout the contest to set up a round of 16 clash against Denmark’s Amalie Schulz. The Indian is chasing her first BWF World Tour title since the Syed Modi International in 2024.
India also had a breakthrough moment through Devika Sihag, who registered her maiden Super 500-level win. The 21-year-old defeated Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira 21-19, 13-21, 21-15 in a contest lasting one hour and 11 minutes.
Ayush, however, could not join his senior compatriots in the next round despite pushing Japan’s sixth seed Kodai Naraoka in a hard-fought encounter.
The Badminton Asia Championships silver medallist lost the opening game 13-21 before responding strongly to take the second 21-17. But Naraoka dominated the decider to complete a 21-13, 17-21, 21-4 victory in 59 minutes.
India’s campaign also ended for Tharun Mannepalli, who lost 12-21, 16-21 to Japan’s Koki Watanabe.
Teenagers Unnati Hooda and Anmol Kharb showed promise despite losing to higher-ranked opponents.
Unnati won her first game against Thailand’s fourth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong before the home favourite recovered to win 11-21, 21-17, 21-16.
Anmol came close to upsetting reigning champion and Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Chen Yu Fei. The 19-year-old led 11-2 in the decider before the Chinese star fought back to seal a 19-21, 21-13, 21-18 win.
Later in the day, Lakshya Sen, Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod and Isharani Baruah were scheduled to begin their singles campaigns.