China Open 2026: HS Prannoy Crashes Out in Round One as His Lean Season Continues

By Marcus Reyes · July 24, 2026 · 7:15 am

HS Prannoy crashes out in round one of China Open Badminton 2026 as his lean season continues with another early exit from the prestigious BWF Super 1000 tournament in China. — More misery for HS Prannoy! India's experienced shuttler crashed out in the first round of the China Open 2026 as his difficult lean season shows no signs of improvement.

It was another chastening afternoon for HS Prannoy. The experienced Indian shuttler crashed out in the opening round of the China Open 2026 in Changzhou, going down 21-10, 21-14 to Malaysia’s world No. 27 Leong Jun Hao — a result that extends a difficult 2026 campaign that shows little sign of turning around.

How the match unfolded

Prannoy never got going. Unable to find his rhythm from the start, the 34-year-old was put under pressure early by Leong and trailed 11-2 at the first-game interval before surrendering the opener with little resistance. He showed more fight in the second game, staying in touch at 11-8 at the break, but could not sustain the challenge as the Malaysian closed it out 21-14 for a comfortable straight-games win.

A season to forget

The defeat is part of a worrying pattern. The Asian Games medallist has now failed to progress beyond the second round in any of the eight tournaments he has played in 2026 — a startling drop-off for a player who, at his best, has beaten the very best in the world and been a mainstay of India’s men’s singles hopes. At a Super 1000 event like the China Open, against sharp opposition, the margins are unforgiving, and Prannoy’s lack of match rhythm was cruelly exposed.

Devika Sihag also exits

Prannoy was not the only Indian to bow out on day one. Devika Sihag also exited in the opening round, though she at least offered a more spirited display before falling. It capped a disappointing start to the tournament for the Indian contingent in Changzhou.

The bigger question

For Prannoy, the challenge now is as much mental as technical. Injuries and illness have interrupted his recent years, and rebuilding the consistency that once took him into the world’s top 10 will take time and results. The contrast with compatriot PV Sindhu — who has just won the Japan Open to end her own drought — shows that form can return, but Prannoy will know that at 34, the clock is a factor. A first deep run of the season cannot come soon enough.

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