India's badminton hopes took a hit on Tuesday as HS Prannoy and Devika Sihag were both eliminated in the first round of the prestigious China Open 2026 Super 1000 event, according to RevSportz. The tournament’s opening day saw tough competition, resulting in an early exit for these two Indian shuttlers.

HS Prannoy, a former World Championships bronze medalist, was defeated in straight sets by Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao. Leong dominated the match by maintaining aggressive play and controlling the rallies from start to finish. Prannoy struggled to find his rhythm, falling behind quickly as Leong took the first game 21-10 and wrapped up the second 21-14 in just 32 minutes.

On the women’s side, Devika Sihag fought hard against Thailand’s seasoned player Busanan Ongbamrungphan. The match extended to three games, with both players exchanging closely contested sets. Busanan narrowly claimed the first set 21-19, but Devika bounced back to equalize with a 21-19 win in the second. Ultimately, the Thai shuttler raised her intensity in the decider, securing a 21-13 victory after more than an hour of play.

With these early defeats, India’s campaign at the China Open now hinges on the performances of remaining stars like PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and the nation’s doubles teams. Their results will be crucial in keeping India’s medal hopes alive in this high-profile tournament.

Why this matters

The early departure of HS Prannoy and Devika Sihag highlights the fierce competition at the China Open, one of badminton’s top-tier events. For India, it underscores the importance of consistent performances from its top players to maintain its standing in international badminton. The results also put pressure on the remaining Indian athletes to deliver strong performances to advance in the tournament.

As the China Open continues, all eyes will be on India’s leading shuttlers to recover from this setback and push forward against some of the world’s best competitors.