Asian Games 2023 badminton: Kidambi Srikanth wins opening round, injuries curb doubles progress

Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth won his opening match in the men’s singles event at the Asian Games 2023 badminton tournament in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China on Monday.

A former world No. 1, Kidambi Srikanth defeated the 81st-ranked Le Duc Phat of Vietnam in straight games 21-10, 21-9 in the round of 64 at the Binjiang Gymnasium.

Srikanth, 21st in the badminton rankings, was dominant from the outset controlling the net play and produced some terrific smashes as well. The Vietnamese player couldn’t match up to Srikanth’s speed and conceded the first game 21-10. 

Le Duc Phat picked up some early points in the second game, but Srikanth quickly gained momentum once again to race to an 11-7 lead and eventually sealed the game 21-9. The match lasted only 29 minutes.

In the other men’s singles results, World Championship bronze medallist HS Prannoy, who missed the men’s team event final due to injury, received a bye in the round of 64.

Srikanth and Prannoy will be in action on Tuesday in their respective men’s singles round of 32 matches. Kidambi Srikanth will be up against Yungyu Lee of the Republic of Korea, while Prannoy is scheduled to face Mongolia’s Batdavaa Munkhbat. 

Meanwhile, K Sai Pratheek and Tanisha Crasto reached the mixed doubles round of 16. The Indian duo defeated Iok Chong Leong and Ng Weng Chi of Macao China in straight games 21-18, 21-14.

India’s star doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, meanwhile, beat Hin Long Chow and Chun Wai Lui of Hong Kong China 21-11, 21-16 in the round of 32. In the pre-quarterfinals, the Indian badminton duo will face Daniel Marthin and Leo Rolly Carnando of Indonesia.

Injuries marred the progress of two doubles pairs on an otherwise successful Monday for the Indian badminton team in Hangzhou.

In the men’s doubles, MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila were trailing 3-11 against Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi before the Indian pair handed a walkover due to MR Arjun’s injury.

Sikki Reddy and Rohan Kapoor, the mixed doubles pair, too had to retire from their round of 32 contest against Jemie Shevon Lai and Goh Soon Huat of Malaysia. Rohan Kapoor turned up to the court with an injury and after playing only two points, the match was called off. 

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will begin her women’s singles campaign at the Asian Games 2023 on Tuesday against Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Wen-chi.