Badminton

PV Sindhu, India's badminton star, showcased her resilience and determination at the French Open Super 750 tournament, overcoming a first-game setback to defeat Beiwen Zhang of the USA in the women's singles quarterfinals. However, Kidambi Srikanth's hopes of advancing were dashed as he suffered a disappointing round-of-16 loss to Guang Zu of China.Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, displayed her fighting spirit after losing the opening game 13-21. She regrouped and dominated the second game 21-10, showcasing her aggressive play and precise returns. In the decider, Sindhu maintained her momentum, securing a 21-14 victory and booking her place in the quarterfinals.The Indian ace will now face either Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei of China or Line Christophersen of Denmark, a formidable challenge that will test her mettle as she aims for a third Olympic medal in Paris.Meanwhile, Srikanth, who had previously defeated Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei, faced a tough opponent in Guang Zu. Despite a strong start, Srikanth's errors proved costly, and he eventually lost 21-19 12-21 20-22 in a grueling 78-minute battle.In the women's singles match, Sindhu initially struggled with Zhang's defensive prowess and committed unforced errors. However, she regained her composure in the second game, dictating the rallies and forcing Zhang into mistakes. In the decider, Sindhu's precise returns and over-the-head smashes proved too much for her opponent.Srikanth, on the other hand, started well against Guang Zu but his errors allowed the Chinese player to level the scores. In the second game, Guang Zu took control, forcing Srikanth into errors and sealing the game. In the third game, Srikanth fought back from a deficit but ultimately succumbed to unforced errors, ending his hopes of advancing.

India's Kidambi Srikanth emerged victorious in the men's singles first round of the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament, while HS Prannoy faced an early exit. Srikanth, ranked 24th in the world, displayed his prowess by defeating 14th-ranked Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in a thrilling 66-minute encounter. The match witnessed a fierce battle, with Srikanth ultimately triumphing 21-15, 20-22, 21-8.Srikanth's victory marks his third win over Chen in seven meetings. The Indian shuttler showcased his dominance in the first game, securing a 14-point lead after trailing 5-7. However, Chen fought back in the second game, forcing a decider. In the final game, Srikanth regained his momentum, securing nine consecutive points to leave Chen trailing.In the adjacent court, Prannoy's hopes of advancing were dashed by China's Lu Guang Zu. Prannoy initially held a 5-2 lead in the opening game, but Guang Zu gradually closed the gap and eventually took the game 21-17. The second game followed a similar pattern, with Prannoy struggling to maintain his lead. Guang Zu capitalized on Prannoy's errors, securing the second game 21-17 and ending the Indian's campaign.Srikanth's victory sets him up for a second-round clash against China's Lu Guang Zu, who defeated Prannoy. The Indian shuttler will be aiming to continue his winning streak and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made a triumphant start to the French Open Super 750 tournament in Paris, securing a hard-fought victory over Malaysian duo Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi. The world no. 1 Indian pair, who won the title in 2022, displayed their dominance in the opening round, outplaying their world no. 12 opponents 21-13, 24-22 in a thrilling 47-minute encounter.Satwik and Chirag, who have finished second in their last three tournaments, will face another Malaysian pair, Man Wei Chong and Kai Wun Tee, in the next round.In other Indian action, World Championships bronze medalist Lakshya Sen overcame a slow start to defeat Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama 15-21, 21-15, 21-3 in his opening match. The unseeded Indian will now face third seed Li Shen Feng in the pre-quarterfinals.Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also advanced to the second round in women's doubles, defeating Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto in an all-Indian clash. The two pairs are vying for qualification for the Paris Olympics, with Tanisha-Ashwini ranked 11th and Treesa-Gayatri at 14th in the Olympic Games qualification ranking.Treesa and Gayatri have been in impressive form, playing a crucial role in the Indian women's team's historic victory at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Malaysia last month.However, it was a disappointing day for Priyanshu Rajawat, who suffered a 8-21, 15-21 defeat to reigning Olympic champion and top seed Victor Axelsen.

B Sai Praneeth, the former world number 10 and bronze medalist at the 2019 World Championships, has announced his retirement from international badminton. The 31-year-old from Hyderabad has been battling nagging injuries since the Tokyo Olympics and has decided to hang up his boots.Praneeth's career spanned over two decades, during which he achieved some notable milestones. He won the Singapore Open Super Series in 2017 and became the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semifinals of the World Championships in 2019. He also represented India at the Tokyo Olympics but failed to make a mark, losing all his matches in the group stage.Despite the setbacks, Praneeth remained a respected figure in the badminton world. He was known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to produce stunning upsets. He defeated some of the top players in the world, including Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei, and Viktor Axelsen.Praneeth's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian badminton. He was one of the most successful male shuttlers in the country and his achievements inspired a generation of young players. He will be remembered as a true champion and a role model for aspiring badminton players.In his retirement announcement, Praneeth expressed his gratitude to his family, coaches, and the Badminton Association of India for their support throughout his career. He also thanked his fans for their unwavering belief in him.Praneeth is now set to embark on a new chapter in his life. He will be joining the Triangle Badminton Academy in the USA as a head coach next month. He is excited about this new challenge and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with young players.

Manika Batra, India's top-ranked table tennis player, reflects on her recent victory against Chen Szu-Yu of Chinese Taipei. While the match may not have been her most impressive performance, it showcased her unwavering determination and ability to fight for every point.Batra's victory came after she found herself trailing 2-1 in the match. However, she remained composed and positive, eventually nudging ahead in the deciding game. This mindset is crucial for success in table tennis, as every point counts.As Batra prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics, where she will compete in the team, singles, and mixed doubles events, she aims to bring this same level of determination to every match. She recognizes that her physical fitness will be key to handling the demanding workload.Batra's sparring partner, Kirill Barabanov, has played a significant role in her development. He has instilled in her the belief that she can turn any match around, regardless of the score. This confidence has been instrumental in her recent successes.While Batra continues to refine her skills, she also emphasizes the importance of physical training. She plans to focus on building stamina and recovery to ensure she is physically prepared for the challenges ahead.Despite the success of her pimpled rubber technique, Batra is constantly seeking ways to improve her game. She is working on enhancing her attacking forehand play to keep opponents guessing.Batra's unwavering determination, positive mindset, and commitment to physical training make her a formidable opponent. As she prepares for the Paris Olympics, she is confident in her ability to deliver strong performances and contribute to India's success.

Former world champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will embark on their quest for a maiden French Open title at the USD 850,000 Super 750 tournament starting Tuesday. The Indian duo, ranked No. 1 in the world, have been tantalizingly close to victory in recent tournaments, finishing as runners-up at the China Masters Super 750, Malaysia Open Super 1000, and India Open Super 750 events.The French Open will provide an opportunity for the Indian shuttlers to familiarize themselves with the conditions at the Adidas arena at Porte de la Chapelle, which will host the badminton competitions at the Paris Olympics. Rankireddy and Shetty, who won the French Open in 2022, will be the favorites to reach the weekend once again.Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu will also be in action, making her return to the circuit after four months. Sindhu, ranked No. 11 in the world, will face Canada's Michelle Li in her opening match. A win could set up a clash with three-time former world champion Carolina Marin of Spain, their first meeting since their ill-tempered match at the Denmark Open semi-final.In men's singles, world No. 7 HS Prannoy will look to build on his semifinal appearance at the India Open. He will face China's Lu Guang Zu in his opening match. Lakshya Sen, who has slipped to world No. 19, will also be in action, taking on Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama. Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth will face a tough challenge against Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien Chen, while young Priyanshu Rajawat will have an opportunity to create an upset against world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen.In a crucial turn of fate, two Indian women pairs -- Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, and Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa -- who are vying for an Olympic berth, will face off in the opening round.