The lamentable race of India in international badminton tournaments continued, while all the remaining shuttles, including the world number 10 in doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand left early, ending the country’s countryside in Thailand Open Super 500 in Bangkok on Thursday. Treesa and Gayatri, returned to the action following an injury layoff but fell 20-22, 14-21 in Rui Hirokami in Japan and Sayaka Hobara in the second round. Wednesday, with Lakshya Sen in the opening tour of male singles, Treesa and Gayatri were the last Indian players of the fray.
The young Indian shuttles could not have an impact with Unnati Hooda, Malvika Bansod and Aakarshi Kashyap bending after consecutive defeats against higher rank opponents in the second round of women in simple.
Unnati, Sept-seven years, champion at 2022 Odisha Masters and 2023 Abu Dhabi Masters, was not up to the world number 2 and the seeded Pornpawee Chochuwong, descendant 14-21, 11-21 in just 39 minutes.
The world No. 23 Mondial Malvika, finalist of Hylo Open 2024, also had trouble against the former world champion and local favorite Ratchano intanon, losing 12-21, 16-21 in the event of 475,000 USD.
Aakarshi Kashyap was also preceded by Thai Southpaw Supanida Katethong, succumbing 9-21, 14-21 in a unilateral match which only lasted 34 minutes.
In simple male, Tharun MannePalli – the only Indian to reach the second round – was not a match for Dane Anders Antonsen, second seeded, losing 14-21, 16-21 in 42 minutes.
India has not yet made a final appearance in any event of the BWF World Tour this year, with leading players, notably Lakshya Sen, the PV Sindhu and the HS Prannoy which fight against bad shape, injuries and illness.
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)
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