Challenging Matches Await Indian Shuttlers at Yonex-Sunrise India Open Super 750

As the Yonex-Sunrise India Open Super 750 tournament approaches, Indian badminton players are gearing up for fierce competition in Delhi from January 13 to 18. The prestigious event will be hosted at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and is expected to feature thrilling matches while also serving as crucial preparation for the upcoming BWF World Championships, which will take place at the same location in August.

PV Sindhu, a former world champion, is set to face a tough opening match against Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen, who has managed to defeat her in their last two matchups. Currently ranked 22nd globally, Nguyen's development over the past year hints at an exhilarating clash. Should Sindhu advance, she might contend with either Wang Zhi Yi, the second seed, or fellow Chinese player Gao Fang Jie in the following round.

Lakshya Sen, the 2022 tournament champion, will commence his journey with an exciting all-Indian clash against the promising Ayush Shetty, ensuring that only three out of four male Indian players will progress. The winner will then meet either the fourth-seeded Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei or Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, paving the way for thrilling matches to follow.

Also in the mix is former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, who faces Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei, currently ranked 12th and part of the 2024 Thomas Cup bronze-winning contingent. If Srikanth succeeds, a potential matchup against Christo Popov of France, who recently made history as the first Frenchman to claim the BWF World Tour Finals men’s singles title, might be on the cards.

H S Prannoy, having secured his main draw placement after Anders Antonsen's withdrawal, will compete against Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu, a finalist from the previous edition.

On the women's side, Malvika Bansod is returning from injury with a protected ranking, set to challenge Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei in her first match.

The tournament also boasts exciting matches like top-seed An Se Young taking on former champion Nozomi Okuhara, and third-seed Akane Yamaguchi squaring off against compatriot Riko Gunji.

In doubles, India's Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy will face a relatively straightforward match against American pair Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith, with a tougher contender awaiting them in the quarterfinals against Chinese eighth seeds Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi.

Women’s doubles team Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will encounter Thailand’s Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai in their opener, potentially setting up a second-round clash with the seventh-seeded Chinese duo of Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min.

With a blend of emerging talents and seasoned champions, the Yonex-Sunrise India Open Super 750 is poised to showcase exceptional badminton prowess and competitive energy, heralding an exciting season ahead.