India endured a disappointing start to its campaign at the USD 2 million China Masters Super 1000 badminton tournament on Tuesday, with women’s singles player Devika Sihag and experienced shuttler HS Prannoy crashing out in the opening round after battling tough opponents.

Devika produced a determined performance before going down in a hard-fought three-game contest against Thailand’s world No. 20 Busanan Ongbamrungphan, while Prannoy suffered a straight-game defeat at the hands of Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao in the men’s singles competition.

Fresh from her title-winning run at the Thailand Open Super 300 earlier this season, Devika entered the tournament with confidence and looked capable of causing an upset. However, despite displaying resilience and fighting spirit, the Indian was unable to overcome the experienced Thai player, eventually losing 19-21, 21-19, 13-21 in a match that lasted over an hour.

The opening game was closely contested, with both players matching each other stroke for stroke. Devika stayed within touching distance throughout the contest, but Busanan’s experience proved decisive in the closing stages as the Thai shuttler edged ahead to take the game 21-19.

Refusing to give up, Devika responded strongly in the second game. She played with greater aggression, mixed her shots effectively and forced her opponent into several unforced errors. The Indian maintained her composure in a tense finish to level the match by winning the game 21-19, raising hopes of progressing to the next round.

However, Busanan regained control in the deciding game. The Thai player increased the pace of the rallies, attacked consistently from the backcourt and kept Devika under pressure with accurate placement. Unable to maintain the momentum from the second game, the Indian fell behind early and struggled to bridge the gap as Busanan wrapped up the decider 21-13 to seal her place in the second round.

Despite the defeat, Devika’s fighting display against a higher-ranked opponent highlighted her growing confidence on the international circuit and reflected the progress she has made following her success at the Thailand Open.

In the men’s singles draw, HS Prannoy also found the going tough against Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao. The former World Championships bronze medallist struggled to find his rhythm and was unable to cope with the Malaysian’s speed and attacking game, losing 10-21, 14-21 in straight games.

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Prannoy, one of India’s most experienced men’s singles players, never looked settled during the contest. Leong dominated the opening game from the outset with aggressive smashes and precise net play, racing to a comfortable 21-10 victory.

The Indian attempted to mount a comeback in the second game and showed glimpses of his trademark fighting spirit, but Leong maintained his intensity and kept Prannoy on the defensive. The Malaysian controlled the rallies, limited Prannoy’s opportunities to attack and eventually closed out the match 21-14 to advance to the next round.

The early exits of Devika and Prannoy marked a disappointing beginning for the Indian contingent at one of the most prestigious events on the BWF World Tour calendar. The China Masters, carrying Super 1000 status and a prize purse of USD 2 million, attracts many of the world’s top-ranked players and serves as a key tournament in the build-up to the season-ending championships.

Indian fans will now look to the remaining players in the squad to keep the country’s challenge alive as the tournament progresses in Changzhou. With several higher-ranked competitors still in action, India will be hoping for improved performances in the later rounds after a difficult opening day.