Lakshya Sen Withdraws from Hong Kong Open; Ashwini and Tanisha Progress to Second Round

In a surprising turn of events at the Hong Kong Open 2023 badminton tournament, Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen made the decision to withdraw from the competition just before his scheduled match on Wednesday. This unforeseen development resulted in a walkover for his opponent, Su Li Yang from Chinese Taipei. As the eighth seed in the men’s singles category, Lakshya Sen had carried the hopes of Indian badminton enthusiasts into the tournament, making his withdrawal all the more disappointing.

The Hong Kong Open 2023 is currently being hosted at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Kowloon, and it was anticipated that Lakshya Sen would be a prominent contender in the competition. His sudden withdrawal came as a disappointment to many who were looking forward to witnessing his talents on display.

Notably, several other top Indian badminton players, including PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and Kidambi Srikanth, opted to skip the Hong Kong meet, as reported by Olympics.com. This further emphasizes the significance of Lakshya Sen’s participation and his withdrawal from the event.

Indian badminton sensation Lakshya Sen, who recently clinched victory at the Canada Open Super 500 tournament in July, made the unexpected decision to withdraw from the Hong Kong Open 2023 just hours before his scheduled match. This abrupt withdrawal, coming on the heels of his remarkable success in Canada, has left fans and observers both surprised and disappointed. Sen’s Canada Open triumph had significantly raised expectations for his performance at the Hong Kong Open, making his last-minute absence all the more noteworthy.

Following the unexpected withdrawal of world No. 13 Lakshya Sen from the Hong Kong Open, India’s hopes in the men’s singles category were solely placed on the shoulders of Priyanshu Rajawat. Unfortunately, Rajawat’s journey in the competition concluded in the first round as he faced a formidable opponent in Kanta Tsuneyama of Japan. The match ended with a score of 13-21, 14-21 in favor of Tsuneyama, marking the end of Priyanshu Rajawat’s campaign at the tournament. This outcome underscores the competitive nature of the Hong Kong Open and the challenges faced by Indian players in international badminton.

In a bright spot for Indian badminton at the Hong Kong Open, the Indian women’s doubles pairing of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto demonstrated their skill and determination as they advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the competition. The duo secured a hard-fought victory against the higher-ranked Chinese Taipei pair of Lee Chia Hsin and Teng Chun Hsun with a scoreline of 21-19, 21-19. Their impressive performance in this match highlights their potential and resilience on the international badminton stage, showcasing India’s prowess in women’s doubles. Their progress to the pre-quarterfinals is a testament to their dedication and teamwork, and Indian badminton enthusiasts eagerly anticipate their continued success in the tournament.

In a remarkable upset at the Hong Kong Open, the Indian women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, currently ranked 50th in the world according to the latest BWF rankings, outperformed their higher-ranked opponents from Chinese Taipei, Lee Chia Hsin and Teng Chun Hsun, who are currently ranked 21st in the world.

While Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto’s victory shone brightly, the overall performance of Indian shuttlers at the Hong Kong Open was marked by disappointment. The day witnessed several challenges and setbacks for the Indian contingent, making Ponnappa-Crasto’s win even more significant amid the less favorable outcomes for their compatriots. This underlines the ups and downs that can be part and parcel of international badminton competitions, highlighting the need for resilience and continuous improvement among Indian shuttlers as they strive for success on the global stage.

In a fiercely contested mixed doubles match, the Indian pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Reddy B. Sumeeth, currently ranked 67th in the world, faced formidable opponents in Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei of Malaysia, who hold the 9th position in the world rankings. Despite the odds stacked against them, Ponnappa and Sumeeth displayed great determination and resilience on the court. Their efforts culminated in a closely fought battle, ultimately resulting in a narrow defeat with a scoreline of 16-21, 21-16, 18-21 in favor of the Malaysian pair. While the Indian duo fell short in this challenging encounter, their spirited performance serves as a testament to their competitive spirit and the potential for future success on the international stage.

In another match at the Hong Kong Open, the Indian pair of Sikki Reddy and Rohan Kapoor faced Singapore’s Hee Yong Kai Terry and Tan Wei Han Jessica in mixed doubles. Unfortunately, Reddy and Kapoor were unable to secure a victory in the first round, and they faced a defeat with a score of 19-21, 10-21. Despite their best efforts, the Singaporean pair proved to be the stronger side on that day.

In a competitive first-round encounter in the women’s singles main draw, China’s Zhang Yi Man showcased her experience and skill as she triumphed over the Indian shuttler, Malvika Bansod. The former world championships bronze medallist from the People’s Republic of China demonstrated her prowess on the court, securing victory with scores of 21-14, 21-12. Despite a spirited effort, Malvika Bansod faced a formidable opponent in Zhang Yi Man, highlighting the level of competition in international badminton tournaments and the challenges that Indian players encounter when competing against world-class opponents.

In a closely contested match, Indian shuttler Aakarshi Kashyap faced off against Germany’s Yvonne Li in the women’s singles category. The match unfolded with a keenly fought first game, but Kashyap eventually succumbed to Li’s skill and determination, with a score of 18-21. In the second game, Yvonne Li continued to assert her dominance, and Kashyap faced a challenging uphill battle. The match ultimately concluded with a score of 10-21, resulting in Aakarshi Kashyap’s exit from the tournament.

In a challenging opening-round encounter in the men’s doubles category at the Hong Kong Open, the Indian duo of Krishna Prasad Garaga and Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala faced a formidable pair from South Korea, Ko Sung Hyun and Shin Baek Cheol. Despite putting up a valiant effort, Garaga and Panjala were unable to secure victory in the match. The South Korean duo displayed their skills and experience on the court, ultimately winning with a score of 14-21, 19-21.

As the Hong Kong Open progresses, the Indian contingent’s campaign in several categories, including men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles, has come to an end. The competition has been a challenging one for Indian shuttlers, with only two Indian women’s doubles teams remaining in contention.

The teams of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, along with Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, will continue to represent India at the Hong Kong Open. Their presence in the tournament on Thursday reflects their resilience and determination to perform at the highest level of international badminton. Indian badminton enthusiasts will be eagerly watching and supporting these teams as they strive to make their mark in the women’s doubles category and advance further in the competition.

The Hong Kong Open 2023 holds special significance for participating badminton players and nations, as the results from this tournament will contribute to the qualifying rankings for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The points earned by players and teams during their performances at the Hong Kong Open will be factored into the Olympic qualification process, impacting their chances of securing a spot at the prestigious event in Paris.