India has suffered a setback ahead of the China Masters Super 750, with two of its leading singles players, PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty, withdrawing from the upcoming tournament.
The event is scheduled to begin on September 1 and is the only major BWF World Tour event before the Asian Games.
The twin withdrawals come shortly after both shuttlers suffered exits at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi.
Sindhu and Shetty were knocked out in the Round of 16, bringing their singles campaigns at the home World Championships to an end.
PV Sindhu, Ayush Shetty Opt For Recovery
Both players have decided to pull out of the China Masters to recover after physically demanding campaigns in New Delhi. The decision will allow them to regroup and manage their workload ahead of the Asian Games.
For Sindhu, the World Championships ended in a gruelling three-game battle against China’s Wang Zhi Yi. The Indian fought back after losing the opening game but eventually went down 11-21, 21-15, 17-21. The contest lasted 88 minutes and demanded a significant physical effort from the two-time Olympic medallist.
Shetty’s campaign was also physically heavy. The 21-year-old had produced one of the biggest upsets of the championships by defeating world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi in the opening round.
He eventually bowed out in the Round of 16 after losing to Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan.
Major Blow To India’s Singles Challenge
The withdrawals significantly weaken India’s representation in the singles draws at the China Masters. Sindhu has remained one of India’s most prominent women’s singles players, while Shetty has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting young men’s singles prospects.
With the Asian Games approaching, however, the decision to prioritise recovery could prove important for both players.
The China Masters would have offered valuable ranking points and high-level competition, but avoiding another demanding tournament could help Sindhu and Shetty arrive fresher for the bigger assignment.