India Open 2022: Srikanth-Loh Kean Yew face-off on card — Fresh from their heroics at the recent 2021 BWF World Championships, newly-crowned champion Loh Kean Yew and silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth are likely to meet each other once again at the India Open 2022 after being drawn in the same half. The tournament organised by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from January 11-16. Follow India Open badminton live updates on InsideSport.IN
Top seed Srikanth, who recently re-entered the Top-10 in the world rankings might face Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew in the men’s singles semifinal. In the lower half, in-form Lakshya Sen will start his campaign against Adham Elgamal of Egypt and could face compatriot and World Championships quarterfinalist HS Prannoy in the last-8 stage. Prannoy is set to kickstart his challenge against Spaniard Pablo Abian.
International badminton action will be back to 🇮🇳 after 2 years as #IndiaOpen2022 is all set to kickoff from January 11 in New Delhi. Are you excited to watch the thrilling badminton action again? 😍 (1/2)
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— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 20, 2021
Second seed B Sai Praneeth, who had a disappointing World Championships, will look to start the new year on a high as he will take on Span’s Luis Penalver in the opening round and could face Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto in the quarterfinals.
Sindhu gets easy draw
In the women’s singles section, top seed PV Sindhu will begin her march towards a first title of the new year against compatriot Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli and could face Russian fifth seed Evgeniya Kosetskaya in the Last-8 stage.
Indian badminton fans would be hoping for the marquee all-Indian summit clash between Sindhu and former World No 1 Saina Nehwal, who has received a relatively tough draw. The London Olympics bronze medallist and fourth seed is likely to square off against seventh seed Iris Wang of USA in the quarterfinals and second seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the semifinals.
India’s top doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who have been seeded second in the men’s doubles draw, will begin their campaign against compatriot Ravi and Chirag Arora and are likely meet fourth seed pair of Ben Lane and Sean Vendy from England in the Last-4 stage.
In women’s doubles, second seed pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy will have an easy route to the Last-8. However, playing along with B Sumith Reddy, Ponnappa will face a tough challenge in the mixed doubles as they will be up against second seeded Russian duo of Rodion Alimov and Alina Davletova in their opening round match.
The 11th edition of the tournament is making a return after a two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic. All matches will be played at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in a bio-bubble without the involvement of fans.
“It has been tough two years for all of us but we are very excited to host this tournament once again. Unfortunately, keeping players’ and other stakeholders’ safety as topmost priority, this mega event will be played without spectators. BAI will ensure execution of this tournament under strict COVID protocols,” BAI General Secretary Ajay Singhania said.
The USD 400,000 prize money Super 500 event will kickstart the 2022 BWF World Tour season.
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