Hong Kong Open 2024 badminton: Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand ousted in pre-quarters; India’s campaign ends

India’s campaign at the Hong Kong Open 2024 badminton tournament in Kowloon, Hong Kong, China came to an early end on Thursday.

India’s two remaining contestants, Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand in women’s doubles and B Sumeeth Reddy-N Sikki Reddy in the mixed doubles were knocked out in the round of 16.

Treesa and Gayatri lost 21-11, 22-20 to Paris 2024 Olympics silver medallists Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning of the People’s Republic of China.

The Indian badminton players were outplayed in the opening game. Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning were 11-5 up midway through and maintained a healthy lead until they won the game.

Treesa and Gayatri fought back strongly in the second game, taking a 10-6 lead. However, the Chinese shuttlers kept their composure to get on level terms at 15-15.

Treesa and Gayatri saved two match points later to make it 20-20, but the experience of their opponents eventually prevailed, as they took the game and match.

Later in the evening, the mixed doubles pair of B Sumeeth Reddy and N Sikki Reddy lost to eighth-seeded Malaysian duo Shevon Jemie Lai and Goh Soon Huat in straight games 21-11, 22-20.

The first game was off to a good start at 3-3, but Shevon Jemie Lai and Goh Soon Huat raced away to an 11-7 lead. The Indian tried to keep up until 14-11 but conceded seven consecutive points to go 1-0 down in the match.

The second game was far more competitive at 11-10 and Sumeeth Reddy-Sikki Reddy also managed to take a 16-13 lead. However, they failed to keep up the momentum, eventually losing the game 22-20.

India’s singles campaign ended on Wednesday. Priyanshu Rajawat and Kiran George, competing in the men’s singles event, lost their opening round matches. In the women’s singles Aakarshi Kashyap and Tanya Hemanth too failed to advance.