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Changzhou [चीन]July 21 (ANI): It was a disappointing start to the China Open 2026 badminton tournament for Indian shuttlers. On Tuesday, in Changzhou, China, both HS Prannoy and Devika Sihag were eliminated after losing in the first round.

At the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, world number 36 HS Prannoy suffered a 21-10, 21-14 defeat at the hands of 27th seed Liong Jun Hao of Malaysia in the men's singles opening round, according to Olympics.

Prannoy's bad form continues

This defeat in the first round has further increased the difficult campaign of Prannoy in 2026. The Asian Games medalists have not progressed beyond the second round in any of the eight tournaments played this season. The 34-year-old Indian player could not find his rhythm from the beginning and Leong Jun Hao put pressure on him in the beginning. Prannoy was trailing 11-2 at the interval of the first game and lost the first game easily.

In the second game, the Indian shuttlers showed some fight and remained in the match till the interval with the score 11-8. However, after the break, Leong Jun Hao extended his lead and Prannoy could only muster six more points. The Malaysian player won the match in 32 minutes. This was Leong Jun Hao's second win in four matches against HS Prannoy.

Devika Sihag also lost in the first round

The only other Indian shuttler in action on the first day of the BWF Super 1000 tournament, Devika Sihag also suffered a first-round defeat. She was defeated by Thailand's Olympian Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-19, 19-21, 21-13 in the women's singles match. 21-year-old Devika fought hard in the first game but lost by a narrow margin. He made a brilliant comeback in the second game, leveled the match and took the match to the deciding game.

However, in the deciding game, Busanan Ongbamrungphan raised its level of play and took an 11-2 lead. He maintained his rhythm and won the match in one hour and one minute.

Now eyes on Sindhu and Lakshya

Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and Paris 2024 semi-finalist Lakshya Sen will begin their China Open campaigns on Wednesday. Sindhu, who is the 2016 China Open champion, is entering this tournament after winning the title at the Japan Open last week. He will face compatriot Unnati Hooda in the first round. (ANI)