Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is back after a four-month injury hiatus, ready to light up the Malaysia Open Super 1000 starting Tuesday. Alongside her, stars like Lakshya Sen and the dynamic Satwik-Chirag duo aim to set the tone for a strong season, especially with the India Open Super 750 looming next week in Delhi.
PV Sindhu Returns Malaysia Open Super 1000 Tournament
The stage is electric in Kuala Lumpur. After a tough 2025, plagued by injuries and ups and downs, Indian shuttlers enter with renewed hunger. Sindhu, the former world champion, has been out of action since October due to a nagging foot injury that tested her resilience.
Now, she’s geared up for her comeback clash against Chinese Taipei’s Sung Shuo Yun in the opening round. Sindhu leads their head-to-head 2-0, with the last win at the India Open in January 2025. Can she rediscover that vintage spark right away? The badminton world is watching.
Malaysia Open Super 1000 Tournament Lineup
Lakshya Sen brings the momentum. The 2021 World Championships bronze medallist bounced back strong last year, clinching the Australian Open Super 500 title and reaching the Hong Kong Open final after his Paris Olympics heartbreak. He faces Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh for the first time, and Lakshya will want to start firing on all cylinders.
Young gun Ayush Shetty, fresh off a US Open Super 300 triumph, takes on Olympic bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia. It’s their debut meeting, and consistency will be key for the Indian hopeful.
The doubles scene promises fireworks, too. World No. 1 men’s pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, seeded third, dominated 2025 with a World Tour Finals semifinal, Hong Kong and China Masters finals, and a second World Championships bronze. They lead their first-round foes from Chinese Taipei 5-0 and eye the title.
Women’s doubles stars Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand return from injury to defend their Syed Modi title, facing Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Meilysa Trias Puspitasari. Other Indians like Unnati Hooda (vs. Chen Yu Fei), Malvika Bansod (vs. Ratchanok Intanon), and pairs like MR Arjun-Hariharan Amsakarunan add depth.
PV Sindhu’s return adds real drama. At 31, she’s chasing that elusive top form amid fitness battles. A strong showing here could boost her confidence and India’s campaign. Lakshya and Satwik-Chirag carry medal hopes, while youngsters push boundaries. Last year’s challenges built character, now it’s time to deliver.
This USD 1.45 million Super 1000 opener feels like pure theatre. Will Sindhu script a fairy-tale comeback? Expect battles, upsets, and Indian grit. Stay tuned as these shuttlers chase glory in Malaysia, it’s just the start of what could be a blockbuster year!
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