Badminton: Indian star shuttlers PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy off to winning starts at BWF World Championships 2025
Sindhu hoping to find form in Paris
PV Sindhu made a winning start to the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris, seeing off Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova in just shy of 40 minutes with a 23-21, 21-6 scoreline.
The two-time Olympic medalist was the clear favourite at the betting odds in the contest, and the manner in which she put the contest to bed would have done wonders for nerves during what has been a fairly poor season by her own high standards.
Sindhu was unable to add to her Olympic medal tally at this venue during last year’s Games, but she is now on course to do so in this tournament, where she already owns a gold, two silvers and two bronze.
However, the path to silverware is far from straightforward for the legendary Indian shuttler. Up next for Sindhu is Malaysia’s Letshanaa Karupathevan, while number-two-ranked Wang Zhiyi could be her round-three opponent.
HS Prannoy keeps India in men’s singles events
In the men’s singles, HS Prannoy got off to a slow start in his first-round matchup against Joakim Oldorff. However, he found his rhythm midway through the first set and powered home, downing the Finn in straight sets 21-18, 21-15.
He will now face a huge test, with world number two Anders Antonsen awaiting him in the second round. If Prannoy is able to overcome the Danish star, he could meet hometown hero Toma Junior Popov in round three.
Prannoy’s victory is a key one for India, as he is now the nation’s only representative in the men’s singles event after Lakshya Sen bowed out of the competition at the first hurdle against superstar Shi Yuqi.
The world number one ousted the Indian number one in straight sets 21-17, 21-19. He will meet Belgium’s Julien Carraggi on Wednesday afternoon.
