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| Sen, Sindhu eye medals at Asia C'ship | | |  agencies
NEW DELHI, Apr 26: Focus will be on two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu and world championships Bronze winner Lakshya Sen when they lead India's challenge at the Badminton Asia Championships, beginning here on Tuesday.
A lot of hope will ride on Sen and Sindhu as the duo has been in good form in the run-up to the continent championships, which is returning after a gap of two years due to COVID-19.
The prestigious event will, however, lose a bit of sheen with the withdrawal of an injured HS Prannoy, who had claimed a Bronze at the 2018 Wuhan edition and is in good form.
While Prannoy will miss out due to a "small injury" sustained on way to his Swiss Open final finish, it will be a great opportunity for All England Silver medallist Sen.
The 20-year-old from Almora has been on a stellar run with title wins at the India Open Super 500 and final appearance at the German Open and All England Championships.
Sen had also won a Bronze at the 2020 Asia team Championships, besides bagging a Gold and Bronze at the 2018 and 2016 Asian Junior Championships. The fifth seeded Indian will be eagar to win a medal from the senior tournament but it will be easier said than done as he faces 22-year-old China's Li Shi Feng, a two-time world junior championships Gold medallist, in his opening round.
All eyes will also be on former world champion fourth seed Sindhu, who had scooped a Bronze from the 2014 Gimcheon edition and is coming into the event after securing two Super 300 titles at Syed Modi International and Swiss Open.
The World No 7 Indian will be eagar to pocket another medal when she begins her campaign against Chinese Taipei's Pai Yu Po.
Sindhu is likely to come across fifth seeded Chinese He Bing Jiao in the quarterfinals if she can cross the initial rounds.
World championships Silver winner Kidambi Srikanth too has been in good touch though he has been guilty of not able to close out some tight matches.
The seventh seeded Indian, who won two Bronze in 2016 and 2020 Asia Team Championships but failed to secure an individual medal, will aim to grab the opportunity this time when he opens against Malaysia's NG Tze Yong.
Tokyo Olympian B Sai Praneeth too will eye a good show when he opens against fourth seeded Jonatan Christie.
Focus will also be on London Olympics Bronze medallist Saina Nehwal as she looks to claim her fourth medal at the Badminton Asia Championships.
The former world number one will look to silence her critics when she begins campaign against Korea's Sim Yujin.
World number 7 and third seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will open against Thailand pair of Apiluk Gaterahong and Natchanon Tulamok. |
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