Indian badminton stars P. V. Sindhu and H. S. Prannoy advanced to the second round of the BWF World Championships in Paris on Tuesday, both securing straight-game victories in their opening encounters. While Prannoy was largely in control of his match, former champion Sindhu had to dig deep and survive a major scare in her first game to progress.
Making her return to the Paris arena, Sindhu faced a tough challenge from Bulgarian teenager Kaloyana Nalbantova. The 2019 World Champion looked nervy at the start and was forced to save two game points in a tense opening set before clinching it 23-21. After the initial struggle, Sindhu found her rhythm and dominated the second game, cruising to a 21-6 win to seal her place in the next round.
Later in the day, 2023 bronze medallist H. S. Prannoy put on a solid performance to defeat Finland's Joakim Oldorff 21-18, 21-15. The 33-year-old Indian veteran was in control for most of the 47-minute match, using his wide array of strokes and smart court craft to keep his opponent off balance and secure a comfortable win.
Prannoy's path gets significantly tougher in the second round, where he is set to face a formidable opponent in the world number two and second seed, Anders Antonsen of Denmark. The clash will be a major test of the Indian's form and fitness against one of the tournament's top title contenders.
With the opening hurdles cleared, India's top singles players will look to build momentum. Sindhu will next face Thailand's Karupathevan Letshanaa, while all eyes will be on Prannoy's blockbuster clash with Antonsen. With both of its senior stars safely through, Indian hopes remain high as they navigate their challenging draws in the hunt for medals.
Despite being the underdog, Prannoy has a reputation as a giant-killer, famously defeating Viktor Axelsen en route to his bronze medal at last year's World Championships. Now ranked 34th, the seasoned fighter has a history of rising to the occasion, and his tactical brain and legendary fighting spirit will be crucial as he attempts to pull off another major upset.
