India's Japan Open 2024 Campaign Ends in Round of 16

India's involvement in the Japan Open 2024 concluded with Sathish Kumar Karunakaran's defeat in the round of 16 in Yokohama. Despite a strong fight in the men's singles event, Karunakaran lost to Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen. Indian players now look forward to the Korea Open next week.

India's campaign at the Japan Open 2024 badminton tournament concluded after Sathish Kumar Karunakaran exited in the round of 16 of the men's singles event in Yokohama on Thursday. Ranked 47th, Karunakaran was defeated by world No. 40 Kantaphon Wangcharoen of Thailand with scores of 21-18, 18-21, 8-21 within one hour and 10 minutes, according to Olympics.com.

Wangcharoen initially raced to a 10-4 lead in the first game. Despite Kantaphon's strong start, the Indian shuttler launched a comeback, winning eight consecutive points after trailing 18-13. In the second game, Karunakaran led 11-9 at the mid-game interval and held a four-point advantage at 15-11, but the Thai player turned the tables, taking 10 out of the next 13 points to push the match to a decider.

In the final game, Wangcharoen showcased his dominance by securing a 13-3 lead and maintained control to seal his quarter-final spot. On Wednesday, Karunakaran had made it to the pre-quarters as his opponent, world No. 3 Anders Antonsen of Denmark, withdrew due to an injury.

Karunakaran was the sole Indian from the 10-member contingent to reach the round of 16 at the BWF Super 750 event. In the women's singles, Malvika Bansod, Ashmita Chaliha, and Aakarshi Kashyap were ousted in the first round. Men's singles player Kiran George also faced an early exit.

In mixed doubles, Commonwealth Games medallists B Sumeeth Reddy and N Sikki Reddy had to withdraw their opener due to a mid-game injury. Similarly, Karunakaran, paired with Aadya Variyath in mixed doubles, was knocked out in the first round. The Panda sisters, Rutuparna and Swetaparna, also faced a first-round exit in women's doubles, according to Olympics.com.

India's seven-member Paris 2024 badminton team, including stars PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, did not participate in the Japan Open. The Indian badminton players will next compete at the Korea Open BWF Super 500 event in Seoul next week.

(With inputs from agencies.)