India eliminated from China Open 2026 after exits for Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty and PV Sindhu
India's campaign at the China Open 2026 concluded on July 23, 2026, with several leading players knocked out. Lakshya Sen lost in straight games after surrendering an opening-game lead, Ayush Shetty was beaten in a deciding game despite holding a strong advantage, and PV Sindhu exited in the round of sixteen.
The China Open represented a significant stop on the 2026 circuit for India’s top singles players, but the nation's challenge came to an early end as none progressed beyond the second round. Each defeat carried its own narrative: Sen's initial advantage did not hold, Shetty could not close out a promising position, and Sindhu fell after a hard-fought match. The outcomes mark a clear halt to India's hopes at this event and shift attention toward upcoming tournaments.
Lakshya Sen opened his match strongly by taking the first game, but he was unable to capitalise on that start and dropped the subsequent games to lose in straight sets. The reversal prevented him from advancing further in the draw and brought a disappointing end to his China Open appearance. The result removes one of India’s leading men's singles prospects from contention at the tournament.
Ayush Shetty produced a performance in which he held a sizeable lead during the contest, at one stage appearing poised to move into the next round. That advantage did not translate into victory, however, as he was overcome in the deciding game. The loss represented a particularly bitter exit given the control he enjoyed earlier in the match.
PV Sindhu also saw her China Open campaign end when she was defeated in the round of sixteen after a tough contest. Her departure completed the list of Indian players eliminated at this stage of the event. The collective exits mean India will send no further competitors through to the later rounds in this tournament.
Attention now turns to the Taipei Open and the upcoming home World Championships as the next targets on the calendar for India’s shuttlers. With the China Open behind them, those events will offer fresh opportunities to regain momentum.
