PV Sindhu's Denmark Open Run Ends in Quarterfinal Loss to Gregoria Tunjung

PV Sindhu’s Denmark Open Run Ends in Quarterfinal Loss to Gregoria Tunjung

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu’s impressive run at the Denmark Open came to an end in the quarterfinals, as she succumbed to a 13-21, 21-16, 9-21 defeat against Indonesia’s Gregoria Tunjung. The loss marked the conclusion of India’s campaign in the tournament.

Tunjung, the Paris Olympics bronze medalist, displayed her dominance throughout the match, particularly in the first and third games. She controlled the pace and executed her shots with precision, leaving Sindhu struggling to keep up. Despite Sindhu’s valiant effort in the second game, Tunjung’s consistency proved too much to overcome.

Sindhu’s defeat extends a disappointing season for the two-time Olympic medalist. After returning empty-handed from the Paris Games, she has failed to secure a title in any of the subsequent tournaments she has participated in.

The loss to Tunjung highlights the challenges Sindhu faces as she attempts to regain her previous form. The Indonesian shuttler has now won three of their last four encounters, demonstrating her growing threat to Sindhu’s dominance in the women’s singles category.

Sindhu’s exit from the Denmark Open leaves the tournament wide open for the remaining contenders. Top-seed An Se Young of South Korea, who defeated Sindhu in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, will face Tunjung in the semifinals.

Sindhu, Sen Aim for Redemption at Denmark Open Super 750

Sindhu, Sen Aim for Redemption at Denmark Open Super 750

Indian badminton stars PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen are determined to rebound from a disappointing start to their season at the USD 850,000 Denmark Open Super 750, which begins on Tuesday.

Both players struggled at the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, last week. Former world champion Sindhu was eliminated in the first round, while 2021 world bronze medalist Sen lost in the second round.

At Arena Fyn in Odense, they hope for better results as they lead India’s challenge in this prestigious tournament, the 13th event of the 2024 BWF World Tour.

Sen, who finished fourth at the Paris Olympics, lost a close match to Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen last week. In Odense, the 23-year-old from Almora will face China’s Lu Guang Zu in his opening match, an opponent he has yet to meet in professional badminton. If he advances, Sen could face Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in the second round, with reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand likely waiting for him in the quarter-finals.

Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, needs to address the issues affecting her performance after a disappointing first-round loss to Canada’s Michelle Li, an opponent she had previously defeated 10 times. Under the guidance of new coaches Anup Sridhar and Korea’s Lee Hyun-il, she will open against Chinese Taipei’s Pai Yu Po and could potentially face China’s Han Yue in the second round if she progresses.

In addition to Sindhu, India will have several other competitors in women’s singles, including the in-form Malvika Bansod, Aakarshi Kashyap, and promising talent Unnati Hooda. Bansod, who reached the quarterfinals of the China Open, will face Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh at first, while Kashyap faces Thailand’s Supanida Katethong. Hooda, the 2022 Odisha Open winner, will compete against Lauren Lam from the USA.

While there will be no Indian representation in men’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who missed the Paris Olympics, will compete in the women’s doubles, taking on the fifth-seeded Malaysian duo of Pearly Tan and Thinnah Muralitharan. The Panda sisters, Swetaparna and Rutaparna, will face off against Chang Ching Hui and Yang Ching Tung of Chinese Taipei.

In mixed doubles, the husband-wife combination of B Sumeeth Reddy and Sikki Reddy are set to face Canada’s Kevin Lee and Eliana Zhang, while Sathish Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath will take on Indonesia’s Rehan Kusharjanto and Lisa Kusumawati.

Viktor Axelsen Retains Olympic Badminton Title in Dominant Fashion

Viktor Axelsen Retains Olympic Badminton Title in Dominant Fashion

Viktor Axelsen, the reigning Olympic champion from Denmark, successfully defended his title in the men’s singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics. In a dominant performance, Axelsen defeated Thailand’s world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in straight sets (21-11, 21-11) in just 52 minutes.

Axelsen, the second seed, was backed by a boisterous crowd of Danish fans at La Chapelle Arena. He quickly established his dominance, building a commanding lead in the first game. Despite a promising start from Vitidsarn, Axelsen’s superior experience and tactical prowess proved too much to overcome.

In the second game, Axelsen unleashed his full arsenal of shots, including powerful smashes and precise drop shots. Vitidsarn fought valiantly, but Axelsen’s relentless pace and unwavering focus proved insurmountable.

With the victory, Axelsen became the first man to retain the Olympic men’s singles title since Chinese legend Lin Dan, who won in 2008 and 2012. The 30-year-old Dane celebrated his triumph by grabbing a Danish flag and running around the arena.

“To be honest, I didn’t even know how I would like to celebrate when I won because I was so focused on winning,” said Axelsen. “I was so focused on being calm and playing the right shots.”

Vitidsarn’s silver medal marked Thailand’s first-ever Olympic medal in badminton. The Thai player made a strong start but was unable to match Axelsen’s consistency and power.

In the bronze medal match, Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia defeated India’s Lakshya Sen in three sets (13-21, 21-16, 21-11).

China continued its dominance in badminton, topping the medals table for the seventh straight Olympics. The Chinese team won gold medals in the mixed and women’s doubles events. Taiwan won the men’s doubles gold, while South Korea’s An Se-young claimed the women’s singles title.

Holger Rune Withdraws from 2024 Olympics Due to Wrist Injury

Holger Rune Withdraws from 2024 Olympics Due to Wrist Injury

Holger Rune, the rising Danish tennis star, has regrettably withdrawn from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris due to a persistent bone bruise in his left wrist. The 16th-ranked player, who has twice reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that he had been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to represent his country.

Rune’s withdrawal is a significant blow to Denmark’s Olympic hopes, as he was expected to be a strong contender in both singles and mixed doubles. He had been paired with former world No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki in the mixed doubles event, with the duo serving as the top alternate team.

The wrist injury has plagued Rune throughout the clay and grass seasons, forcing him to retire from his quarterfinal match in Hamburg and withdraw from a warm-up event in Croatia. Medical examinations revealed that the injury was “not looking good,” prompting Rune to prioritize his long-term health.

“I am really sorry that I will be unable to play the Olympics,” Rune said in a statement. “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to playing and being a part of. I have played with pain in my wrist throughout both the clay and grass season, so I have to take the medical recommendations seriously.”

Rune’s absence from the Olympics is a setback for his career, as it delays his Olympic debut. He narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2020 Games in Tokyo. However, the 19-year-old remains optimistic and plans to cheer on his fellow Danish athletes from home.

“I will follow the Olympics from home and cheer on all the Danish athletes and I hope and believe that we can bring home many medals from Paris. Come on, Denmark!” Rune added.

Rune’s withdrawal highlights the importance of injury prevention and management in high-level sports. Despite his disappointment, he has made the wise decision to prioritize his health and ensure his long-term success on the court.

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