Panda Sisters Exit Korea Open as Indian Challenge Continues

The Indian duo of Rutuparna and Swetaparna Panda lost in the first round of women's doubles at the Korea Open. The match concluded with an 18-21 5-21 defeat to the Chinese Taipei pair. Indian hopes remain in women's singles and mixed doubles competitions.

The Indian pair of Rutuparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda made an early exit in the women's doubles event at the Korea Open badminton tournament on Tuesday. The Panda sisters were defeated 18-21, 5-21 by the Chinese Taipei combination of Hsieh Pei Shan and Hung En-Tzu in a match that lasted just 37 minutes.

India's participation continues in the women's singles competition, where Aakarshi Kashyap, Malvika Bansod, and Ashmita Chaliha are set to compete. Kashyap faces Denmark's Line Christophersen, while Bansod and Chaliha will contend against Denmark's Hojmark Kjaersfeldt and Thailand's Pornpawee Chowhuwong, respectively, in their opening matches on Wednesday.

No Indian players are participating in the men's singles and men's doubles events. In mixed doubles, the unheralded pair of Ayush Raj Gupta and Sruti Swain will represent India, facing the local duo of Sung Hyun Ko and Hye Won Eom in the opening round on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)