Saarbrucken, Oct 27:
Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu will spearhead India’s campaign at the Hylo Open Super 500 badminton tournament in Germany, beginning Tuesday, after finishing runner-up at the French Open last week.
Sindhu, a former world champion, has enjoyed encouraging results this season, including winning the Japan Open title in July. She reached the French Open final in Paris but lost to South Korea’s world No. 1 An Se-young in three games. The Indian will open her Hylo Open campaign against Turkey’s Neslihan Arin.
India’s men’s singles challenge includes Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, H.S. Prannoy, Kiran George and Tharun Mannepalli. Lakshya, the 2019 Hylo Open champion, faces Finland’s Joakim Oldorff, while eighth seed Ayush takes on Taiwan’s Su Li Yang. Prannoy faces a difficult opening-round encounter against reigning world champion Alex Lanier of France.
In the women’s singles, Ashmita Chaliha will seek to build on her Korea Masters title and her recent victory over three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi at the French Open. She opens against Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova.
With several Indian players entering the tournament after promising performances, the competition offers an opportunity to build consistency and collect valuable ranking points ahead of the remaining international events of the season.