Denmark Open 2023: PV Sindhu, Aakarshi Kashyap through to pre-quarters; Srikanth, Lakhsya Sen crash out

Kidambi Srikanth bowed out from the opening round.

The Indian contingent had an off day with several top ranked shuttlers withdrawing from the Denmark Open 2023. WR-1 pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty withdrew in the early hours of the competition with reasons unknown. Apart from them, HS Prannoy alongside MR Arjun backed out to injuries. In the opening day, the women's singles contingent held good composure with PV Sindhu and Aakarshi Kashyap registering wins.

Aakarshi Kashyap in particular created an upset by defeating WR-26 from Germany Yvonne Li in three games (10-21, 22-20, 21-12). After losing the opening game, the 22-year-old Indian fought back strongly to win the following two games. However, the path wasn't easy as the Indian was always trailing in the second. From 13-19, Aakarshi stepped up the ante to save two match points and eventually won the game 22-20.

In the decider, the Indian had a smooth sailing and was always ahead of her opponent. Her compatriot and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu got the better of Kirsty Gilmour in three games. After winning the opening game, the Scottish came back strongly to take the encounter to the decider. Like Aakarshi, Sindhu took the game away from Gilmour after leading by eight points at the mid-games interval.

Earlier in the day, Kidambi Srikanth lost the opening round battle to China's Weng Hong Yang. The third-best ranked Indian shuttler had a good start but couldn't capitalize on it and made several unforced errors at the near court.

Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen also bowed out after straight game defeat against a lower-ranked Wangcharoen Kantaphong of Thailand. Sen, who has won the Canada Open this year, lost 16-21, 18-21to exit the competition.

India's performance on day 1 of Denmark Open 2023

Men's Singles (Round of 32)

• Kidambi Srikanth lost to Weng Hong Yang (21-19, 10-21, 16-21)
• Lakshya Sen lost to Wangcharoen Kantaphong (16-21, 18-21)

Women's Singles (Round of 32)

• PV Sindhu beat Kristy Gilmour (21-14, 18-21, 21-10)
• Aakarshi Kashyap beat Yvonne Li (10-21, 22-20, 21-12)

Men's Doubles (Round of 32)

• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty lost to Ong Yiw Sin/Teo Ee Yi (walkover)