Badminton News: Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy in a tough draw; P V Sindhu drops BWF Denmark Open 2022

But two-time world champion PV Sindhu has shocked the world by confirming her absence from the event. She sustained an injury at the Commonwealth Games in July. 

The much-awaited tournament is the next big-ticket badminton event after the BWF World Championships in August. Despite fillers and tune-up events such as the National Games in India, the Vietnam Open, and a Super 100, the stakes run higher here. 

Here is an elaborate update on the Indians participating in the event!

Men's singles

Kidambi Srikanth vs Angus Ng Ka Long

Lakshya Sen vs Anthony Sinisuka Ginting

HS Prannoy vs Zhao Jun Peng

The unseeded Indians are heading into a tough week inaugurated by challenging first-round matches. However, their collective prowess at the Thomas Cup could work its magic here too. 

New number eight Lakshya will face sixth seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. With a 2-0 head-to-head advantage against Ginting, Lakshya has the advantage. He defeated the Indonesian players at the German Open and the Thomas Cup final.

The all-Indian clash between Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy

If he wins the first round, he will meet compatriot Prannoy. Their head-to-head record is tied at 2-2 as rising shuttler Sen snapped up two victories at the Indonesia Open and World Championships this year.

Prannoy needs to outclass Zhao Jun Peng, who has a 2-0 advantage over the Indian. He thrashed at the Indonesia Open semi-final and World Championships quarter-final this year. 

On the other hand, former world number one Kidambi Srikanth's first opponent is Angus Ng Ka Long. They are tied at 3-3, but Kidambi has failed to remain consistent this season.

He could face seventh seed, Loh Kean Yew, early into the tournament, where they have been named alongside top seed Viktor Axelsen. 

Women's singles

Saina Nehwal vs Zhang Yi Man

PV Sindhu's inopportune absence will pressure Saina Nehwal as she opens her campaign against China's Zhang Yi Man. The Indian lost their only encounter in 2016. 

She could meet fifth seed Ratchanok Intanon in the next round. Although Saina's 2-7 win record instils a sense of relief, her erratic form over the last few months has led to unpredictability. 

Men's doubles

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty vs Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae

World Championship bronze medallists Satwik-Chirag are to face South Koreans Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae. Despite being seventh-seeded, the Koreans lost to Chirag-Satwik at the Korea Open in April, which brought their H2H to 1-1.

Satwik-Chirag's could play All England champions Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana of Indonesia if they clear the opening round. The Indian duo had beaten the Indonesians earlier this year. 

Further ahead, Chirag-Satwik could encounter fourth seeds, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

Women's doubles

Treesa Jolly-Gayathri Gopichand vs Alexandra Boje-Amalie Magelund

Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayathri Gopichand will open their campaign against locals Alexandra Boje and Amalie Magelund.

Upon winning, they could face sixth seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai in the next round.

Mixed doubles

Tanisha Crasto-Ishaan Bhatnagar vs Pitha Haningtyas Mentari-Rinov Rivaldy

Indian duo Tanisha Crasto and Ishaan Bhatnagar will take on Indonesia's Pitha Haningtyas Mentari and Rinov Rivaldy. Winning could pit Tanisha and Ishaan against second seeds and World Championship finalists Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino.