Indian badminton stars P.V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen ended their title drought at the 2024 Syed Modi International Badminton Championships, held in Lucknow.
Lucknow, December 1, 2024 – Indian badminton stars P.V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen ended their title drought at the 2024 Syed Modi International Badminton Championships, held in Lucknow. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, and Lakshya, a rising star in the men’s game, both claimed victories on Sunday, marking their return to winning ways.
Meanwhile, in a historic achievement, the Indian women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand made their mark by winning the women’s doubles title. This victory was not only their first major title together but also an important step forward for Indian badminton. The tournament, which took place from November 27 to December 1, saw exciting matches and unforgettable performances by the Indian players.
Sindhu Ends Four-Year Title Wait
P.V. Sindhu had been in a long dry spell, with her last title coming in 2019 at the World Championships. However, the former world champion ended her four-year title drought by winning the women’s singles final at the Syed Modi International.
The 28-year-old defeated Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan in a hard-fought match that lasted just over an hour. Sindhu won the final 21-18, 19-21, 21-12, displaying her typical fighting spirit. The first game saw Sindhu dominate early on, but Busanan came back strong in the second game to force a decider. In the third and final game, Sindhu’s experience and skill were too much for her opponent, as she cruised to victory, sealing the match 21-12.
Speaking after her win, Sindhu said, “It has been a long wait for a title, but I am happy to finally win. It gives me confidence going forward. I have been working hard and I will continue to work towards more success in the future.”
The win is particularly important for Sindhu as she prepares for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. With this victory, she has shown that she is back in form and ready to compete at the highest level once again.
Lakshya Sen Returns to Winning Ways
Lakshya Sen, who had been struggling with injuries and form issues in the past year, also found success at the Syed Modi International. The 22-year-old from Almora defeated top seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia in the men’s singles final. Lakshya won the match in straight games, 21-17, 21-16, in just under 50 minutes.
This was Lakshya’s first title since his victory at the India Open in 2022, and it was a much-needed confidence booster. In the final, Lakshya played with great composure and precision, not allowing Ginting to settle into his rhythm. The young Indian shuttler’s sharp smashes and consistent play helped him outclass the more experienced Indonesian.
After his victory, Lakshya spoke about his journey back to form, saying, “It’s been a tough year for me, but I’m glad to get back on the winning track. This win means a lot to me, and I’m looking forward to improving further.”
Lakshya’s performance is a good sign for Indian badminton, as he has been one of the country’s brightest prospects in men’s singles over the past few years. His win at the Syed Modi International is expected to give him the confidence to challenge top players in the upcoming international tournaments.
Treesa and Gayatri Make History
In a moment of history, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, the young women’s doubles pair, stunned everyone by winning the women’s doubles title at the Syed Modi International. This victory was significant not only because it was their first major title but also because it came in front of a home crowd.
The Indian duo defeated the Chinese pair of Li Wenmei and Liu Xuanxuan in a thrilling final. The match ended 21-17, 16-21, 21-16 in favor of Treesa and Gayatri, who showed incredible skill and determination throughout the match. Despite facing stiff competition from the experienced Chinese pair, Treesa and Gayatri kept their cool, made smart tactical decisions, and played with remarkable teamwork.
Gayatri, who is the daughter of legendary Indian coach Pullela Gopichand, was visibly emotional after the win. “This is a dream come true. We’ve worked so hard for this moment, and to win here in India makes it even more special. It’s just the beginning for us, and we hope to achieve much more together,” said Gayatri.
Treesa, who has been steadily rising in the world rankings, shared similar sentiments. “Winning a title is always special, but doing it in front of our home crowd makes it even more meaningful. We’ve put in a lot of effort, and this win will give us the motivation to aim for bigger goals in the future.”
Other Notable Performances
While Sindhu, Lakshya, Treesa, and Gayatri were the stars of the tournament, there were also other strong performances from Indian players. In the men’s doubles event, the pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty reached the final but lost to the Chinese duo of Liang and Chen. Despite the loss, the Indian pair’s strong showing signaled that they are a force to be reckoned with in the men’s doubles circuit.
In the mixed doubles category, the Indian duo of Reddy and N. Sikki Reddy also put up a brave fight but were eliminated in the semifinals by the Chinese combination. While they did not manage to win a medal, their performance was encouraging and showed the progress of Indian badminton in all categories.
