India’s representation at their home event increased as Tanvi Sharma and Tharun Mannepalli were promoted to the main draw of women’s singles and men’s singles respectively for the India Open Super 750 tournament starting on Tuesday in New Delhi. With the withdrawal of Akane Yamaguchi, World Junior Championships silver medallist Tanvi, who was the second reserve, gets the chance to make her mark. Also getting promoted were doubles national champions Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam in women’s doubles.
World champion and men’s singles world No 1 Shi Yuqi pulled out of the tournament after he had to retire in Sunday’s Malaysia Open 2026 final against Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Tharun’s elevation from the reserved category means there will be two all-India contests in the opening round of men’s singles. While Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty will be up against each other as per the original draw, Tharun will face Kidambi Srikanth in the opening round.
In women’s singles, women’s third seed and reigning world champion Yamaguchi, who had retired against PV Sindhu in the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open, also pulled out, paving the way for Tanvi to make her India Open debut. Tanvi will face second-seed Wang Zhi Yi of China in the opening round and if she can pull off an upset, the 16-year-old could meet Sindhu in the second round.
In women’s doubles, Ashwini and Sikha will face Margot Lambert and Camille Pognante of France in the opening round.
Withdrawals
Men’s singles: Shi Yu Qi (CHN), Weng Hong Yang (CHN)
Women’s singles: Akane Yamaguchi (JPN), Sim Yu Jin (KOR)
Men’s doubles: Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang (KOR)
Women’s doubles: Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian (CHN)
Promotions
Men’s singles: Justin Hoh (MAS), Tharun Mannepalli (IND)
Women’s singles: Huang Yu-Hsun (TPE), Tanvi Sharma (IND)
Men’s doubles: Kang Khai Xing/Aaron Tai (MAS)
Women’s doubles: Ashwini Bhat K./Shikha Gautam (IND)
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
