India’s MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan secured a comfortable victory over the American pair of Arden Quan Lee and Stanley Xing, progressing to the second round of men’s doubles at the Australian Badminton Open. The Indian duo dominated the first game and maintained their lead throughout, eventually winning 21-13, 21-13 in their opening match at Olympic Boulevard.
In contrast, India’s Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu and Arjun Reddy Pochana faced elimination after a 21-15, 21-15 defeat to the local pair of Kanki Igawa and Ooi Ye Hern in the tournament’s initial round. With their exit, Arjun and Amsakarunan stand as the sole Indian representation in the men’s doubles category at the event, as top-ranked duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty opted out due to Satwik’s recent shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Saneeth Dayanand, making his debut in a Super 500 badminton tournament, secured a spot in the men’s singles main draw after triumphing in two qualifying matches. Dayanand, alongside Tharun Mannepalli, will carry Indian aspirations in the men’s singles event, with defending champion Lakshya Sen absent this year. Additionally, PV Sindhu, ranked 11th in women’s singles, is set to kick off her campaign against Peru’s Ines Lucia Castillo Salazar, while Malvika Bansod will also compete in the upcoming matches.
