Badminton star PV Sindhu started her journey in the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2024 with an impressive victory in the women’s singles event. The two-time Olympic medalist defeated eighth seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan from Thailand 21-12, 21-8 in merely 38 minutes during the Round of 32 on Wednesday, November 13.
Sindhu began on the back foot, falling behind 5-7 in the first game. Nevertheless, the Indian player recovered to lead 11-9 at the interval. Sindhu continued forward from that moment, securing 11 of the next 13 points played.
Sindhu brought confidence into the second game. She always prevented Busanan from taking control in the second game, sprinting to an 11-7 advantage and then claiming 11 of the next 12 points contested.
The victory in the first round of the Super 500 tournament will enhance Sindhu’s confidence. Following her premature exit at the Paris Olympics, Sindhu entered the Arctic Open, where she was eliminated in the first round.
However, she made it to the quarter-finals of the Denmark Open Super 750 in October.
The Indian player, who is not in line to qualify for the tour finals, will aim to conclude the season successfully. Just recently, Sindhu discussed her aspirations to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics, emphasizing her drive and determination.
Also read: Sports talk! Will Sindhu, Lakshya regain lost touch in Japan?
Lakshya Sen exits in the first round
Conversely, there was bad news for India in the men’s singles category. Lakshya Sen was defeated by unseeded Leong Jun Hao from Japan in the opening round.
It was a devastating loss for the young player as he claimed the first game but faltered in the subsequent two. Lakshya was defeated with scores of 22-20, 17-21, and 16-21 in a match that went on for one hour and 14 minutes.
Lakshya’s performance recently has raised concerns. Following his defeat in the Olympics bronze medal match to Lee Zii Jia, Lakshya was eliminated in the second round of the Arctic Open and the first round of the Denmark Open.
