India Open Badminton LIVE – Covid-19 Before Semifinals: The ongoing India Open Badminton in Delhi has again got hampered by Covid-19 strike. The 3 semifinal matches have resulted in WALKOVERS due to suspected Covid-19. Earlier on Saturday morning the Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed that one player from the current draw has tested positive for COVID-19. Follow India Open Badminton LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
The player and has been withdrawn from the Last-4 clash but now 3 semifinal matches have been conceded due to Covid-19
- Men’s Singles Semifinals – Brian Yang withdraws
- Mixed Doubles Semifinals – Rodion Alimov tests positive
- Women’s Doubles Semifinal – Malkova withdraws
Who tested positive? Second seeded Russian mixed doubles player Rodion Alimov tested positive for the virus and was withdrawn from the USD 400,000 tournament.
His mixed doubles partner Alina Davletova was also withdrawn after being identified as a close contact.
Indonesian pair of Yong Kai Terry Hee and Wei Han Tan thus made it to the mixed doubles final after getting a walkover.
India Open 2022 Semi-finals LIVE: PV Sindhu to face off against Supanida…
India Open Badminton LIVE: Just before Semifinal matches two players withdrawan after testing positive: Follow LIVE Updates
Doubles Pair Withdraw from Semifinals: The player returned a positive result to a mandatory RT-PCR test conducted on Friday.
His doubles partner has been identified as a close contact and has also been withdrawn from the tournament.
Their opponents will be given a walkover to the final. Testing protocols have been implemented in accordance with Badminton World Federation and Badminton Association of India guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all participants.
The semifinals of the competition starts today.
India Open 2022 Semi-finals LIVE: PV Sindhu to face off against Supanida Katethong; Lakshya takes on NG Tze Yong – Follow LIVE Updates
Women’s singles semifinal – PV Sindhu vs Supanida Katethong LIVE
Top seed Sindhu, a former world champion, took 36 minutes to get the better of 21-year-old Chaliha 21-7, 21-18 and set up a last-four clash with Thailand’s Supanida Katethong, seeded sixth. Chaliha took time to get into the groove and put up a good fight in the second game but couldn’t stop Sindhu from walking away with the match. Sindhu came out all guns blazing in the opening game, before keeping her composure in the second to seal the tie.
Katethong entered the semifinals after the third-seeded Yeo Jia Min of Singapore pulled out of the tournament due to “high fever”. The duo have previously met in their careers, with Sindhu clinching a straight-sets win at the Indonesia Masters.
Women’s singles semifinal – Aakarshi Kashyap vs Busanan Ongbamrungphan LIVE
Aakarshi Kashyap sealed her place in the semi-finals with a stunning win over fellow Indian shuttler Malvika Bansod. Malvika shocked Saina Nehwal in the second round but couldn’t do the same against Kashyap 21-12, 21-15 in a match that lasted 46 minutes. The World No.76 now faces a stern test and will go up against second seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan. While it will be sern test for the young Indian shuttler, Kashyap has shown her mettle and will definitely put up a fight in New Delhi.
India Open 2022 Semi-finals LIVE: PV Sindhu to face off against Supanida Katethong; Lakshya takes on NG Tze Yong – Follow LIVE Updates
Men’s singles semi-finals – Lakshya Sen vs NG Tze Yong LIVE
No.3 seed Lakshya Sen continued his good form after he clinched a memorable come from behind win against HS Prannoy. With Kidambi Srikanth out, India’s hopes are pinned on Lakshya Sen and the 20-year-old did not disappoint.
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There was not much to differentiate between the two till 13-13 before HS Prannoy took eight of the next nine points to pocket the game. Sen followed it up with a brilliant Game 2 win with a 12 point margin. Prannoy started the decider well, but Sen remained in control and clinched the semi-final berth.
Lakshya will now face NG Tze Yong of Malaysia in the India Open semis tomorrow. The duo had previously met in Bangladesh in 2019, with Sen winning that encounter.
Editors pick
