Singapore Open 2023: Priyanshu, Srikanth advance; Sindhu, Saina, Lakshya exit from opening round

Priyanshu Rajawat's performance was the highlight of the day for India.

Young Priyanshu Rajawat and Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the second round of the Singapore Open 2023 after winning their respective matches in the men's singles. But it was a mixed day for India as two-time Olympics medallist PV Sindhu, former World No. 1 Saina Nehwal and CWG champion Lakshya Sen bowed out from the first round itself.

Rajawat, who won the Orleans Masters earlier this year, beat WR-15 Kanta Tsuneyama in straight games to advance. Both Sen and Sindhu went down despite winning the first round in their respective matches. Sindhu, Saina and Aakarshi Kashyap's defeat also ended India's campaign in the women's singles on the opening day.

The day started on a positive note with India's number two men's doubles team of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila registering an easy victory over France's Lucas Corvee/Ronan Labar in straight games (21-16, 21-15). Since then, all the Indian players excluding Priyanshu Rajawat and Kidambi Srikanth suffered losses in their respective categories.

Orleans Masters winner Priyanshu Rajawat defeated Japan's WR 15 Kanta Tsuneyama in straight games with a similar scoreline (21-12, 21-15). Former WR 1 and India's number three in men's singles, Kidambi Srikanth defeated Kantaphon Wangcharoen in an easy battle (21-15, 21-19).

Two-time Olympic medallist, PV Sindhu suffered her second straight opening-day loss; this time to WR 1 Akane Yamaguchi (21-18, 19-21, 17-21). Sindhu, 27, started the match on a positive note winning the opening game but couldn't continue the momentum in the next two games. The court coverage was one positive from today's match and on the contrary she needs to focus on finishing off matches.

After a two-month break, Saina Nehwal made an entry in the Singapore Open but lost to Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon in straight games. This was Saina's third first-round loss in the BWF Tour this season. Young Aakarshi Kashyap too lost in the opener and this was her seventh first-round loss. With this, the action from the Indian women's singles section at the Singapore Open 2023 got officially over with all three losing their opening encounters.

Lakshya Sen summed up India's proceedings losing to WR 5 Chou Tien Chen in three games (21-18, 17-21, 13-21). Lakshya, 22, started the match aggressively and won the first game comfortably. The match started to tilt towards Chen in the second half of the second game with Lakshya making too many unforced errors. The Indian was leading (9-5) in the second game but in a matter of few minutes lost six straight points to concede the lead and the match overall.

India's results from day 1 Singapore Open 2023

Men’s Singles Round of 32

Lakshya Sen lost to Chou Tien Chen (21-18, 17-21, 13-21)

Priyanshu Rajawat beat Kanta Tsuneyama (21-12, 21-15)

Kidambi Srikanth beat Kantaphon Wangcharoen (21-15, 21-19)

HS Prannoy lost to Kodai Naraoka (15-21, 19-21)

Women’s Singles Round of 32

PV Sindhu lost to Akane Yamaguchi (21-18, 19-21, 17-21)

Saina Nehwal lost to Ratchanok Intanon (13-21, 15-21)

Aakarshi Kashyap lost to Supanida Katethong (17-21, 9-21)

Men’s Doubles Round of 32

MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila beat Lucas Corvee/Ronan Labar (21-16, 21-15)