Badminton News: Lakshya Sen finishes a career-high sixth, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty climb a point
Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen has climbed two spots to achieve his career-best sixth in the updated BWF World Rankings. The Almora-born youngster used his top form to acquire 76,424 points from 25 tournaments
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (front)/Chirag Shetty of IndiaThe 21-year-old was a crucial member of the winning team that scripted history at the Thomas Cup this year. He also won the Commonwealth Games Men's singles Gold in Birmingham in August by overcoming Ng Tze Yong of Malaysia 19-21, 21-9, 21-16.
Lakshya Sen was inactive for a brief period due to a condition called 'deviated septum', which happens when the thin barrier (nasal septum) between the nasal passages shifts to one side.
He underwent surgery just after the World Championships and consequently had a weak start to his CWG campaign. He lost the first game at the summit clash and trailed 6-8 in the second one.
However, he persevered and won the final. After his victory, Lakshya Sen admitted that he never lost faith, even in the worst scenario. The 21-year-old reported a throat infection curtailing his Hylo Open 2022 campaign.
He crashed out of the opening round to Hong Kong's, Ng Ka Long Angus, in Saarbrucken, Germany. He said about his condition, "I had fever, throat pain and weakness after reaching Saarbrucken ahead of Hylo Open. I probably picked the infection while travelling from Paris."
He has also pulled out of the upcoming Australian Open.
Chirag-Satwik climb to their previous rank
French Open winners Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have returned to their career-high seven ranking in men's doubles. They climbed one spot after the Hylo Open 2022, where they advanced to the quarter-finals.
The Indian pair clinched two BWF world tour titles - India Open super 500 and French Open super 750, and were the winners of gold at the Birmingham Games and won their first bronze medal at World Championships. They also played an essential role in India's monumental Thomas Cup win.
PV Sindhu improves her ranking, and Treesa-Gayatri makes a giant leap
In women's singles rankings, PV Sindhu entered the top five despite being away from badminton. She skipped the latest tournaments after the Birmingham Games due to an ankle injury.
The Olympic silver medallist is currently world number five. Meanwhile, the women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have moved five places to reach their career-high ranking of number 23.
The mixed doubles pair Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto are world number 28 after jumping two spots. Top Indian shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and H. S. Prannoy retain their positions as world number 11 and 12, respectively.