Indian badminton star Malvika Bansod continued her impressive run in 2024, securing a stunning upset over world No. 23 Sung Shuo Yun of Chinese Taipei at the Arctic Open Super 500 tournament. This victory catapulted the 23-year-old southpaw into the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals. Bansod, who recently claimed her first title in over two years at the Azerbaijan International in February, showcased remarkable resilience in a hard-fought match, clinching a 21-19, 24-22 win after a grueling 57 minutes.
The challenge for Bansod intensifies in the next round as she faces a former world champion. Her opponent will be the winner of the match between Ratchanok Intanon, the 2013 world champion from Thailand and top seed of the tournament, and Wang Zhi Yi, the 2022 world champion from China.
Meanwhile, star Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu, returning to action after the Paris Olympics and seeded sixth, will take on Michelle Li of Canada later in the day. Other Indian contenders in the women’s singles include Aakarshi Kashyap and qualifier Unnati Hooda.
The men’s singles draw features Lakshya Sen and qualifier Kiran George, while the Panda sisters — Rutaparna and Swetaparna — are competing in the women’s doubles. Santhish Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath represent India in the mixed team draw.
This tournament marks a significant return for Sindhu, who is undoubtedly aiming to make her mark after her Olympic experience. The competition is expected to be fierce, with top players from around the world vying for the title. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the Indian contingent performs in this prestigious event.
