Devika Sihag. File
\| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Devika Sihag put up a spirited fight before going down in three games. At the same time, H.S. Prannoy bowed out after a straight-game defeat as India endured a disappointing opening day at the $2,000,000 China Masters in Changzhou on Tuesday (July 21, 2026).

Devika, the Thailand Open Super 300 champion, rallied after dropping the opening game but could not sustain the momentum, losing 19-21, 21-19, 13-21 to World No. 20 Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the women's singles opening round.

Prannoy, a 2023 World Championships bronze medallist, also lost in the men's opening round after suffering a 10-21, 14-21 defeat to Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao.

Newly crowned Japan Open winner P.V. Sindhu will begin her campaign, taking on compatriot Unnati Hooda on Wednesday. Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty too will in action.

Published - July 22, 2026 02:53 am IST