China Masters sees mixed results for India as men’s singles shines, women’s exit

The China Masters Super 750 event in Shenzhen delivered a roller‑coaster for the Indian contingent on September 3. Former world No.1 Kidambi Srikanth was the sole male singles player to progress, reaching the quarter‑finals after a 21‑18, 21‑19 win over world No.9 Victor Lai of Canada.

Srikanth’s run began with a swift 35‑minute victory over China’s Qi Yu‑Jen (21‑16, 21‑15). He now awaits a showdown with Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu, who made headlines by defeating world No.9 Tomoya Popov earlier in the draw.

On the women’s side, Tanvi Sharma’s three‑set loss to Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki (17‑21, 21‑18, 16‑21) marked the end of India’s pursuit in the singles bracket. The defeat ended any chance of a medal in the women’s draw.

Mixed doubles also fell short, with Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto succumbing to Taiwan’s Liu Kuang‑Heng and Su Yin‑Hui. In a separate mixed pair, Rohan Kapoor and Ruttika Shivani Gadde were beaten by Chinese pair Wu Guan‑Shun and Li Chia‑Sin in straight games.

Conversely, India’s men’s doubles duo Satwik Sai Raj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty displayed dominance, overwhelming Malaysia’s Junaydi Arif and Kang Hai‑Jing 21‑11, 21‑16 within 40 minutes. Their next encounter will be a test against France’s Christophe Popov and Tomo Junior Popov.

Women’s singles veteran Devika Sihag also bowed out after a 21‑18, 21‑15 defeat to Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova.