PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen Eye Medals at Badminton Asia Championships

    Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and world championships bronze winner Lakshya Sen are in contention at the Badminton Asia Championships, beginning April 26, 2022. India will place their hopes on the duo who has exhibited terrific form in the run-up to the continental championships.

    P.V Sindhu P.V Sindhu

    The event is back after a break of two years due to Covid-19 related problems. Indian supporters will miss the absence of an injured HS Prannoy, who had won bronze at the 2018 Wuhan edition. He sustained a minor injury on the way to his Swiss Open summit clash. 

    Lakshya Sen to Face a Tough Opponent in the First Round

    In the first round, the 20-year-old from Almora will face China's 22-year-old Li Shi Feng, a two-time world junior championships gold medallist. The fifth-seeded Indian won the India Open Super 500 and made final appearances at the German Open and All England Championships. He had also claimed a bronze medal at the 2020 Asia team Championships, apart from clinching gold and bronze at the 2018 and 2016 Asian Junior Championships.

    Sindhu Aiming to Continue Her Impressive Run

    Former world champion fourth seed Sindhu, who had scooped a bronze from the 2014 Gimcheon edition, is coming into the event after securing two Super 300 titles at Syed Modi International and Swiss Open. The world number seven Indian will encounter Chinese Taipei's Pai Yu Po in the first round.

    Meanwhile, Kidambi Srikanth, who has been in good form, will face Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong in the first round. The seventh-seeded Indian won two bronze medals in the 2016 and 2020 Asia Team Championships. Tokyo Olympian B Sai Praneeth will open against fourth-seeded Jonatan Christie.

    Saina's Return Highly Anticipated

    On the other hand, London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal will aim to grab her fourth medal at the Badminton Asia Championships. However, the former world number one is recovering from some critical injuries and has also missed the selection trials for the upcoming big-ticket tournaments like Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Uber Cup. She will tackle Korea's Sim Yujin. Aakarshi Kashyap will encounter the top seed, Akane Yamaguchi, while Malvika Bansod will brace herself against Singapore's Yeo Jia Min.

     

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