VANTAA, Oct. 7: PV Sindhu made a strong start to her Arctic Open 2026 campaign, registering a comfortable straight-game victory over Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang in the opening round of the BWF Super 500 tournament in Finland. However, several other Indian players exited the women’s singles competition, resulting in a mixed day for the Indian contingent.
The sixth-seeded Sindhu required just 28 minutes to defeat qualifier Wen Yu Zhang 21-8, 21-11. The two-time Olympic medallist dominated from the beginning, taking control of the rallies and never allowing her opponent an opportunity to challenge her. With the win, Sindhu advanced to the second round, where she will face Japan’s Riko Gunji.
India’s women’s singles campaign suffered a number of disappointments elsewhere. Unnati Hooda came close to staging a remarkable comeback against China’s Han Qianxi. After losing the first game 21-16, Hooda fought back to win the second 21-15. The deciding game was closely contested, but Han eventually prevailed 24-22 after a hard-fought 68-minute encounter.
Ashmita Chaliha also put up a spirited performance against seventh seed Line Christophersen. Following a one-sided 21-7 defeat in the opening game, Chaliha recovered strongly to take the second game 21-14. However, the Danish player held her nerve in a tense decider, winning 26-24. Malvika Bansod’s journey ended in the first round as she lost 21-18, 21-13 to Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour, despite entering the main draw through qualifying. Isharani Baruah faced top seed and former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand and was defeated 21-10, 21-15.
A positive result for India came through Tanvi Sharma, who overcame Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-Chian 21-15, 21-17 to join Sindhu in the next round.
India’s mixed doubles campaign ended early after Ishan Bhatnagar and Shruti Mishra suffered a heavy 21-3, 21-6 defeat against Thailand’s Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai. In the men’s qualifiers, however, India enjoyed success. Tharun Mannepalli defeated Belgium’s Julien Carraggi in three games, while Rounak Chouhan fought back from a game down to beat Israel’s Daniel Dubovenko. Both players secured places in the main draw, where they will join established stars HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth.
While India’s women’s singles challenge was reduced significantly in the opening round, Sindhu and Tanvi Sharma remain in contention, and the men’s singles draw has been strengthened by two successful qualifiers as the Arctic Open progresses.
