Sindhu Exits Early; Satwik-Chirag, Lakshya Advance in Japan Open

Tokyo, Jul 16 (PTI) Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu faced another tough first-round exit, while Lakshya Sen and the men's doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the second round with decisive victories at the Japan Open on Wednesday.

Sindhu, a former world champion, fell 15-21, 14-21 to Korea's Sim Yu Jin in this Super 750 tournament, marking it as her fifth early exit this year.

Conversely, Satwik-Chirag and Lakshya earned wins in straight sets.

Sindhu showed glimpses of her form, despite a sluggish start, showing some resistance, but eventually lost momentum as Sim secured her first career triumph over the Indian ace.

In the second game, Sindhu trailed 1-6, and although she fought back to level at 11-11, Sim powered through to shut down the match decisively.

On the men's doubles court, Satwik and Chirag, ranked 15th globally, defeated the Korean pair Kang Min Hyuk and Kim Dong Ju 21-18, 21-10 within 42 minutes.

Initially, the Koreans matched the former world No. 1 duo's pace, but the Indians found their groove and dominated the second game with precise play.

Lakshya, who has faced a slump with several first-round exits this season, showed poise by defeating China's Wang Zheng Xing 21-11, 21-18.

The world No. 18 seized an 11-2 lead in the opening game and clinched it effortlessly.

Although Xing fought harder in the second game, Lakshya maintained his early lead to win in straight sets.

He is set to meet the seventh seed and home favorite, Kodai Naraoka, in the round of 16.

In the women's singles arena, Anupama Upadhyaya overcame fellow Indian Rakshitha Ramraj 21-15, 18-21, 21-18. Anupama will next confront China's second seed, Wang Zhi Yi.

Unnati Hooda, a semifinalist at the Taipei Open earlier this year, succumbed 8-21, 12-21 to the seventh seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand in her opening match.

Other results included men's doubles pair Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi bowing out 15-21, 9-21 to Korea's third seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, and the women's doubles team of Kavipriya Selvam-Simran Singhi falling 6-21, 15-21 to Hong Kong's Lui Lok Lok and Tsang Hiu Yan.

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