BWF China Open 2024 Day 1 results: Priyanshu Rajawat's campaign ends in first round; other Indian shuttlers still in contention
The prestigious China Open 2024 began in Changzhou on Tuesday, September 17, featuring some of the top badminton talents from around the world. On the tournament's opening day, India’s sole representative on court was Priyanshu Rajawat, competing in the men's singles category.
Rajawat faced Canada’s Brian Yang in his first-round match. Despite a spirited performance, the young Indian shuttler succumbed to a 13-21, 16-21 defeat.
The match began with Rajawat struggling to find his rhythm, as Yang took control early on. By the mid-game interval, the Canadian shuttler had built a comfortable five-point lead. Rajawat displayed flashes of brilliance but was unable to consistently win points, allowing Yang to seize the momentum and clinch the first game 21-13.
In the second game, Rajawat showed more promise, starting strong with a 9-5 lead. However, Yang quickly bounced back to level things at 10-10 and then took the advantage at the mid-game interval. Rajawat’s unforced errors in the second half helped Yang edge ahead and seal the match, winning the second game 21-16 to book his place in the pre-quarterfinals of the China Open.
India’s remaining shuttlers at the BWF China Open 2024
While most of India’s prominent shuttlers, including H S Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, PV Sindhu, and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are absent from the tournament, India still has a strong contingent across multiple events.
In men's singles, Kiran George remains India’s only hope after Rajawat's exit. George will take on Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in the first round. The women’s singles event will see Aakarshi Kashyap, Malvika Bansod, and Samiya Imad Farooqui in action. Kashyap will face Chiu Pin-Chian, while Bansod is set to challenge Gregoria Tunjung, and Farooqui will take on Kirsty Gilmour in their respective first-round matches.
In women’s doubles, India’s Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, and the Panda sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, will be seen competing. In mixed doubles, the pair of Sikki Reddy and Sumeeth Reddy, as well as Aadya Variyath and Sathish Karunakaran, will carry India’s hopes in their respective matches. India does not have any representation in the men’s doubles category of the Super 1000 tournament this time around.