The road ahead for Sen is far from easy, as he faces a formidable opening-round opponent in France’s newly-crowned world champion, Alex Lanier. Despite a disappointing second-round loss to world number 92 Garret Tan at the Worlds, Sen remains a key contender, having secured a notable runner-up finish at the All England Championships earlier this season.
Doubles Hopes and Veteran Returns
In the men’s doubles category, fourth seeds
Meanwhile, former world number one Kidambi Srikanth continues his search for consistency. After reaching the US Open Super 300 final in June, Srikanth has struggled with form and fitness, including an injury-forced retirement at the Canada Open and a first-round exit at the Korea Masters. He will look to find his rhythm against Chinese Taipei’s Chi Yu-jen. Additionally, the men’s doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun faces a stern test against the eighth-seeded Japanese combination of former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.
Rising Stars in the Spotlight
The tournament also serves as a critical platform for India’s emerging women’s singles talent, with Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, and Devika Sihag representing the next generation. Unnati, the 18-year-old who made history as the youngest Indian to win a BWF World Tour title, faces a difficult opening encounter against fifth seed Han Yue of China. Her career trajectory has been impressive, with titles at the Abu Dhabi Masters and Odisha Masters already to her name.
Tanvi Sharma, the 17-year-old former junior world number one, enters the tournament following her success as the youngest-ever winner of the Taipei Open Super 300. She is set to play Denmark’s Amalie Schulz. Rounding out the young contingent, 21-year-old Devika Sihag, who recently triumphed at the Thailand Masters, will compete against Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova. In the mixed doubles draw, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto are slated to meet the Thai pair of Tonkid and Tonrug Saeheng, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde take on the Chinese Taipei duo of Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin.
