French Open Badminton 2024: PV Sindhu and Srikanth Kidambi Shine, HS Prannoy Falls Short
Dara Singh Chahal
7th Mar 2024: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu displayed remarkable resilience as she made a stunning comeback against Canada’s Michelle Li in their first-round women’s singles match at the French Open 2024. In a gripping encounter lasting 80 minutes, Sindhu secured victory with a scoreline of 20-22, 22-20, 21-19, marking her return to the BWF World Tour following a knee injury sustained in the same competition last year. Up against the 16th ranked Li, Sindhu’s victory sets the stage for a challenging encounter against USA’s Beiwen Zhang in the next round.
Reflecting on her win, Sindhu expressed satisfaction with her performance and acknowledged the competitive nature of the match, emphasizing the importance of patience and focus.
In the men’s singles category, former French Open champion Srikanth Kidambi showcased his prowess, progressing to the pre-quarterfinals after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen in a thrilling encounter that lasted 66 minutes. Srikanth’s victory sets up a face-off against Chinese shuttler Lu Guang Zu in the round of 16.
However, the Indian contingent also witnessed disappointment as HS Prannoy fell short against China’s Lu Guang Zu, ending his campaign in the tournament prematurely. Prannoy, ranked 7th in the world, faced a defeat with a scoreline of 21-17, 21-17, marking an early exit from the BWF Super 750 event.
As the tournament progresses, Indian badminton enthusiasts eagerly await further captivating performances from Sindhu and Srikanth as they continue to represent the nation on the global stage.
