India’s badminton brigade suffered blows at the BWF India Open with Kidambi Srikanth’s second-round elimination and Malvika Bansod’s defeat closing the chapter on women’s singles.
In a seesaw contest, Srikanth outmaneuvered Gemke initially, securing 21-18 via aggressive forehands. The Dane clawed back 21-19 in the second with superior stamina. The decider exposed Srikanth’s vulnerabilities, ending 21-15 amid wayward shots. This result intensifies pressure on the veteran for ranking revival.
Malvika Bansod, sole survivor in women’s singles, duked it out with Yeo. She mounted pressure but lost the edge 18-21, 14-21. Her spirited effort earned plaudits, though the scoreboard tells a tough tale.
Attention now pivots to Lakshya Sen’s men’s singles quest and powerhouse doubles teams. The packed New Delhi venue pulsates with energy, reflecting shuttle sport’s boom.
Insiders dissect draws and preparations, urging sharper focus. BWF calendar demands peak consistency. Yet, India’s depth offers optimism; upcoming stars could shine brighter. The Open continues, with redemption in sight.