Indonesia Open: Sindhu, Ayush Bow Out; Hariharan-Arjun Keep India’s Hopes Alive in Doubles

Jakarta: India's singles campaign at the Indonesia Open came to an end on Thursday as PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty were knocked out in the pre-quarterfinals. However, the men's doubles duo of Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi Arjun advanced to the quarterfinals, keeping the country's challenge alive in the prestigious tournament.

Sindhu's run was halted by world No. 1 An Se Young, who registered a straight-games victory of 21-17, 21-15 in the women's singles Round of 16.

The two-time Olympic medallist put up a spirited fight in the opening game and displayed flashes of her aggressive style, but the top-seeded South Korean once again proved superior at key moments. After taking control late in the first game, An maintained her dominance in the second with her exceptional consistency and court coverage to seal a place in the last eight.

Following Sindhu's exit, India's singles hopes rested on young shuttler Ayush Shetty. The 21-year-old started strongly against Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu, taking the first game 21-16 with a confident performance.

Lee, however, responded strongly in the second game, winning it 21-13 to level the match. Ayush began the decider positively, but the experienced Hong Kong player soon found his rhythm and surged ahead, eventually clinching a 16-21, 21-13, 21-14 victory.

The result brought India's singles journey in Jakarta to a close after earlier first-round exits for Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy.

There was, however, a bright spot for India in the men's doubles event. Hariharan and Arjun staged a strong comeback to overcome Malaysia's A. Tai and K. X. Kang 16-21, 21-15, 21-19 and secure a place in the quarterfinals.

After losing the opening game, the Indian pair bounced back impressively in the second before holding their composure in a tense deciding game to complete the turnaround. Their victory ensured India remained in contention at the Super 1000 tournament.

With the singles events now over for India, the spotlight shifts to doubles, where Hariharan and Arjun will next face former world No. 1 Malaysian pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the quarterfinals.

With inputs from IANS