Japan Open 2023: PV Sindhu makes first round exit; Lakshya Sen, Satwik-Chirag advance to R16

None of the women's singles shuttlers progressed past the opening round

Commonwealth Games 2022 champion Lakshya Sen alongside Asian champions and new WR-2 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty progressed to RO16 of Japan Open 2023. The former got the better off compatriot Priyanshu Rajawat in three games while the latter advanced with a win over Indonesian duo Daniel Marthin and Leo Carnando.

In the Sen vs Rajawat, all-India match, Priyanshu Rajawat played his heart out and was on a cusp of a victory but with experience, Lakshya Sen came back from behind to save two match points in the decider. Rajawat was always ahead in the decider and had a four-point lead at 18-14, but his inexperience allowed Lakshya to latch onto few opportunities.

Earlier, Priyanshu gave a good fight to WR-2 Ginting in the Indonesia Open and WR-4 Kodai Naraoka in Korea Open last week. With time and experience, the 21-year-old will latch onto victories and progress ahead.

In the other men's singles match, Mithun Manjunath lost probably one of the easiest matches he would have ever had in a BWF 750 tournament. After sealing the opening game, Mithun was 18-11 ahead, but Weng Hong Yang scored seven out of the next eight points to reduce the deficit and also take the match to the decider.

In the decider too, Manjunath had a small three-point lead at the break (11-8) but once again handed over the lead to the opponent and subsequently the match as well.

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu lost in the opening round to Zhang Yi Man in straight games (12-21, 13-21). Sindhu was nowhere near her best and struggled to dictate pace throughout the match. This was Sindhu's second straight first round exit after the Korea Open last week.

Up next, HS Prannoy is set to clash against countrymate Kidambi Srikanth for a place in the quarter-finals. Lakshya Sen will be up against Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama who beat second seed Antony Sinisika Ginting in straight games in the opening round.

Later in the day, MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila gave a walkover with the former suffering from a back injury. This is the pair's second opening round walkover post the Korea Open last week.

India's performance on day 2 of Japan Open 2023

Men's Singles Round of 32

Lakshya Sen beat Priyanshu Rajawat (15-21, 12-21, 24-22)

Mithun Manjunath lost to Weng Hong Yang (21-13, 22-24, 18-21)

Women's Singles Round of 32

PV Sindhu lost to Zhang Yi Man (12-21, 13-21)

Malvika Bansod lost to Aya Ohori (7-21, 15-21)

Men's Doubles Round of 32

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty beat Daniel Marthin/Leo Carnando (21-16, 11-21, 21-13)

MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila lost to Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik (5-15) *walkover