PV Sindhu shrugged off a 15‑all stalemate and ripped through Japan’s Riko Gunji with a 21‑15, 21‑15 double‑set win in 49 minutes, securing her quarter‑final berth at the Arctic Open.
She was patient, waiting for the right moment before launching a blistering six‑point burst that turned the tide. Gunji fought back to 15‑15, but Sindhu’s composure under pressure paid dividends.
In the men’s draw, world number 31 Kidambi Srikanth opened strong, taking the first game 21‑15 against Canada’s Brian Yang, yet the Canadian reversed the momentum, winning the next two sets 21‑15 and 21‑13 to end Srikanth’s campaign in the opening round.
HS Prannoy, seeded 38th, struggled against Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, who dominated from the start and finished 21‑10, 21‑9, sending Prannoy home early.
Sindhu now faces top seed and former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand—a stern test that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
The next match for Sindhu will be the quarter‑final clash against Intanon, while the men’s field braces for the upcoming semi‑finals.