India enjoyed a promising start at the Japan Open 2026, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the BWF World Tour calendar, as PV Sindhu and the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto secured convincing victories to move into the second round.

Sindhu displayed excellent control and confidence throughout her opening-round match, while Dhruv and Tanisha continued their impressive partnership with another solid performance. However, the day also brought disappointment for India’s leading men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who were forced to retire due to injury.

The mixed results reflected both India’s growing depth in international badminton and the challenges that come with a demanding tournament schedule.

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PV Sindhu Cruises Into the Second Round

Former world champion PV Sindhu looked in complete command during her first-round encounter against Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching.

The Indian star produced an aggressive yet composed display, winning in straight games:

Match Result

• PV Sindhu (India) defeated Wong Ling Ching (Malaysia)
• Score: 21-14, 21-11

Sindhu controlled rallies from the very beginning by combining powerful smashes with accurate net play. Her movement around the court was smooth, allowing her to dominate long exchanges and force mistakes from her opponent.

The victory gives Sindhu valuable confidence as she continues her pursuit of another major international title.

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Sindhu’s Performance Highlights

Several aspects of Sindhu’s game stood out during the match:

• Excellent attacking play
• Accurate cross-court smashes
• Strong defensive retrievals
• Consistent net control
• High fitness levels throughout both games
• Minimal unforced errors

Her ability to maintain pressure without giving away easy points proved to be the biggest difference in the contest.

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Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto Advance Comfortably

India’s mixed doubles combination of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also produced a confident performance.

Facing Scotland’s experienced pair Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson, the Indian duo dominated key moments to seal a straight-game victory.

Match Result

• Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto (India)
• defeated
• Alexander Dunn / Julie Macpherson (Scotland)

Score: 21-16, 21-14

The Indian pair showed excellent understanding on court, rotating well during rallies and executing quick attacking combinations.

Their growing consistency has made them one of India’s most promising mixed doubles partnerships.

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Strong Teamwork Makes the Difference

Dhruv and Tanisha impressed with:

• Fast court coverage
• Excellent communication
• Aggressive net interceptions
• Powerful rear-court attacks
• Calm finishing under pressure

Their performance demonstrated why Indian mixed doubles continue to improve on the international circuit.

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Injury Blow for Satwik-Chirag

Not all the news was positive for India.

The country’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were forced to retire from their opening-round match after Satwik experienced discomfort in his shoulder.

The pair had already lost the opening game before deciding not to continue.

The injury is a concern because the duo has consistently been among the world’s strongest men’s doubles teams over the past few seasons.

With several important tournaments still ahead, including the World Championships, the team is expected to prioritize recovery rather than risk aggravating the injury.

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Early Exit for Another Indian Mixed Doubles Pair

Indian pair Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde were unable to progress beyond the opening round.

They faced a difficult challenge against one of the tournament’s strongest mixed doubles combinations and were defeated in straight games.

Although the result was disappointing, competing against elite international opposition provides valuable experience for India’s emerging players.

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India’s Performance at Japan Open 2026

Event	Indian Player(s)	Result
Women’s Singles	PV Sindhu	Won – Advanced to Round 2
Mixed Doubles	Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto	Won – Advanced to Round 2
Men’s Doubles	Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty	Retired due to injury
Mixed Doubles	Rohan Kapoor / Ruthvika Shivani Gadde	Eliminated

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Why Sindhu’s Victory Matters

The Japan Open is one of the toughest tournaments on the badminton calendar, featuring many of the world’s highest-ranked players.

Winning the opening match:

• Builds confidence
• Improves ranking opportunities
• Provides momentum for later rounds
• Demonstrates strong form ahead of upcoming major events

For Sindhu, every victory is important as she aims to return to the top level of world badminton after battling injuries and inconsistent form in recent seasons.

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India’s Medal Hopes

India still has several players capable of making deep runs in the tournament.

Fans will now be hoping that:

• PV Sindhu continues her impressive form.
• Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto maintain their winning momentum.
• Satwik-Chirag recover quickly for future tournaments.
• Young Indian players gain valuable international experience.

The performances in Tokyo will also play an important role in preparing Indian shuttlers for the remainder of the 2026 BWF season.

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What to Expect in the Second Round

After her comfortable opening victory, Sindhu is expected to face tougher competition in the second round.

As the tournament progresses, matches become increasingly challenging, with several top-ranked players still in contention.

If Sindhu maintains the same attacking rhythm and consistency shown in her opening match, she has every opportunity to make a deep run in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will also look to build on their strong start as they aim for another upset against higher-ranked opponents.

FAQ

Who won the first-round match at the Japan Open 2026 for India?

PV Sindhu defeated Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching in straight games to reach the second round.

Which Indian mixed doubles pair advanced?

Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto progressed to the second round after defeating Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson.

Why did Satwik-Chirag retire from the tournament?

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy experienced a shoulder injury during the match, forcing the pair to retire as a precaution.

What tournament is the Japan Open?

The Japan Open is a prestigious BWF World Tour event featuring many of the world’s top badminton players.

Is PV Sindhu still in the Japan Open 2026?

Yes. After winning her opening-round match, PV Sindhu has qualified for the second round.