PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy ousted as Indian challenge at Badminton ...

Badminton Asia Championships 2024: PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy lost their respective second-round matches on Thursday in Ningbo, China. Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa also lost in their women's doubles second-round match.

PV Sindhu lost in the second round of Badminton Asia Championships in China (PTI Photo)

India's campaign at the Badminton Asia Championships 2024 came to a disappointing early end as Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and Asian Games medalist HS Prannoy lost their respective second-round matches in Ningbo, China. Sindhu showcased promise in her first-round win over Goh Jin Wei of Malaysia, but the two-time medalist lost to 6th seed Han Yue of China in a three-game battle on Thursday.

On the other hand, HS Prannoy was shown the door by World No. 19 Li Chun Yi in the men's singles second round. The 7th seed slipped to a disappointing straight-game defeat, losing 18-21, 11-21.

India's doubles hope also vanished as Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto lost to 3rd seeds Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida 21-17, 21-12 in the women's doubles second round.

India's campaign ending as early as the second day of the Badminton Asia Championships is a worrying sign in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics. While Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty opted out of the premier continental tournament, Paris-bound shuttles Sindhu, Prannoy and Laskhya Sen were shown the door early.

Lakshya and the young women's doubles pairing of Gayatri Gopichand and Jolly Treesa lost in the opening rounds.

WORRYING SIGNS FOR SINDHU?

It was a disappointing result for Sindhu as she was hoping for a confidence-boosting run, especially after having overcome Goh Jin Wei in a tough battle. Sindhu had a 5-0 head-to-head record against Han Yue in the lead-up to Thursday's match, but the 7th seed got one over the Indian star with a gritty show.

Sindhu, ranked 12, lost the opening game 18-21, but managed a sensational fightback in the second game, winning it 21-13. Sindhu started the deciding game on a high, taking an 8-4 lead, but she allowed Han Yue to go 11-10 up in the mid-game break. The Chinese star, cheered on by the local crowd, did not look back as she never conceded her lead, winning the final game by a 4-point margin.

Sindhu has not been struggling for consistency ever since she returned to action at the French Open in March after a long injury layoff. Sindhu was ousted in the second round of the All England Open was ousted in the 3rd round in Madrid in the last week of March.