India’s campaign at the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament got off to a mixed start on Wednesday, with top men’s singles shuttler Lakshya Sen crashing out in the opening round, while Aakarshi Kashyap and Unnati Hooda kept Indian hopes alive with gritty wins in the women’s singles.
Sen, seeded and expected to go deep in the draw, fell to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in a tense three-game battle that lasted one hour and 20 minutes. The Indian lost 18-21, 21-9, 17-21 in a rollercoaster match that saw momentum shift constantly.
After a sluggish start in the opening game, Sen found his rhythm in the second, dictating play with aggressive rallies and precision net play to force a decider. But Nguyen, showing remarkable composure, edged ahead in the final game with a crucial 17-13 lead and never relinquished control, sealing the match and sending Sen packing.
There was further disappointment in men’s singles as Priyanshu Rajawat also made a first-round exit. He went down fighting against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, 13-21, 21-17, 16-21, in another physically demanding match that showcased glimpses of promise but ended without reward.
In contrast, the women’s singles brought some cheer for Indian fans. Aakarshi Kashyap battled past Japan’s Kaoru Sugiyama in a thrilling encounter, winning 21-16, 20-22, 22-20. Kashyap held her nerve in the nail-biting third game, keeping a cool head in the final points to emerge victorious in a match that could have gone either way.
Unnati Hooda, one of India’s rising stars, also displayed remarkable resilience, defeating Thailand’s Thamonwan Nithiittikrai 21-14, 18-21, 23-21 in another gripping contest. The young Indian showed maturity beyond her years, saving multiple match points before clinching the decider with sharp smashes and composed court coverage.
However, the Indian contingent faced a setback as Rakshitha Ramraj bowed out against eighth seed Yeo Jia Min of Singapore. Ramraj struggled to match her opponent’s pace and precision, losing 18-21, 7-21 in a straight-games defeat that ended her Thailand campaign.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will now turn to Aakarshi and Unnati, who carry India’s hopes forward in the women’s singles bracket. With several close battles already behind them, their grit and determination may prove pivotal in the days to come.
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