Denmark Open 2024: India’s PV Sindhu takes on China’s Han Yue for a place in quarter-finals
After coming through in the opening round, PV Sindhu will look to continue her momentum when she faces China’s Han Yue in the Round of 16 of the Denmark Open 2024 on Thursday.
PV Sindhu is the sole Indian to advance past the opening round in the competition. All the remaining Indian players, including Paris Olympics semi-finalist Lakshya Sen, were eliminated in the initial round. Sindhu is currently the sole representative of India at the Denmark Open 2024.
Sindhu was dominating Taiwan’s Yu Po Pai before the Taiwanese retired midway in the match. Sindhu was leading 21-8 13-7 when Pai decided she could not continue further.
Also read: PV Sindhu moves into the pre-quarters of Denmark Open Badminton
Sindhu’s next opponent China’s Han Yue defeated Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in the first round.
Sindhu’s title drought has extended for more than two years now and the double Olympic medallist is now desperate for a trophy.
No other Indian left in the tournament
Earlier, on Wednesday, all Indians lost their respective matches at the Denmark Open.
Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand, who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games 2022, and India’s young sensation Unnati Hooda were eliminated from the badminton tournament after being defeated in the first round matches in Odense on Wednesday.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, 21st in the badminton rankings for women’s doubles, lost to world No. 7 Malaysian pair of Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan 21-19, 17-21, 15-21 in one hour and 14 minutes.
Also read: Denmark Open Badminton: PV Sindhu faces Pai Yu Po in the first round
Despite a valiant effort, India’s 17-year-old badminton sensation Unnati Hooda was also eliminated after a tough match against the more seasoned Lauren Lam from the USA.
World No. 47 Unnati Hooda, ranked two places better than her American opponent, mounted a strong comeback after losing the first game. The Indian shuttler was level at 16-16 in the decider but Lauren Lam pocketed the 21-15, 13-21, 21-18 win following the hour-long affair.
In the men’s singles, Sathish K Karunakaran, ranked 43rd, lost 21-15, 17-21, 22-20 to world No. 35 Su Li Yang of Chinese Taipei.
B Sumeeth Reddy and N Sikki Reddy suffered a huge setback in the first round of mixed doubles. The duo ranked 33rd in the world suffered a 22-20, 19-21, 22-24 defeat against Kevin Lee and Eliana Zhang of Canada, who are ranked 199th.
