Lucknow: Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu lifted her third Syed Modi India International World Tour Super 300 Badminton Championship title, while men’s top seed Lakshya Sen secured his maiden title in the $210,000 prize-money championship at the UP Badminton Academy, Lucknow, on Sunday.
Second-seeded Indian duo Trisha Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela became the first Indian pair to clinch the women’s doubles title at the Syed Modi tournament.
Top-seeded Sindhu defeated China’s Wu Luo Yu in a 47-minute match, 21-14, 21-16. The world champion and Olympic medalist dominated the first game, taking a commanding 11-9 lead at the break. After allowing her opponent only five more points, Sindhu comfortably claimed the first game. In the second game, though Wu levelled the score at 5-5 and took a narrow 11-10 lead at the break, Sindhu staged a strong comeback with precise smashes and drop shots to seal the win.
This victory marks Sindhu’s first title since her triumph at the 2022 Singapore Open and adds to her Syed Modi titles from 2017 and 2022.
After clinching the title, Sindhu expressed relief at ending a long title drought with her triumph on Sunday and hoped the result would mark the beginning of another successful phase in her career. “This win will definitely give me a lot of confidence. Being 29 is an advantage in many ways because I have a lot of experience. Being smart and experienced is key, and I’m definitely going to play for the next couple of years,” Sindhu told reporters.
“My main goal is to stay injury-free, which is very, very important. The Los Angeles (Olympics) is still too far away. I will definitely play, but the main thing is staying injury-free and enjoying the sport. If I stay fit, then why not?” she added.
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, Lakshya Sen edged past fourth-seeded Singaporean Jia Heng Jason Teh in just 31 minutes, winning 21-6, 21-7. Lakshya’s fast-paced game left Teh struggling, with the Singaporean committing a series of unforced errors. The Indian stormed to an 8-0 lead in the first game. He then won nine of the next 10 final points to wrap up the first game in no time.
Lakshya continued his relentless attack in the second game, surging to a commanding 10-1 lead by the mid-game interval. The Indian extended his advantage to 15-5, and despite Teh’s brief resurgence, Lakshya’s impeccable defence and fitness held firm. At 16-7, he displayed his versatility with powerful down-the-line smashes and cross-court net shots, reaching 20-7. The match concluded with Teh sending a shot long, sealing Lakshya’s first Syed Modi International title.
“I am really happy with the way I had prepared and how I played the match. I hope to do well in the tournaments next year. I have some time now till the new season, which will allow me to train and focus on the upcoming events,” Lakshya said.
In women’s doubles, Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Trisha Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela defeated China’s Bao Li Jing and Li Qian 21-18, 21-11 in a 41-minute match. In mixed doubles, sixth-seeded Thai pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai defeated India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto 18-21, 21-14, 21-8. In men’s doubles, China’s Huang Di and Liu Yang overcame India’s Sai Prateek and Prithvi Krishnamurthy Roy 21-14, 19-21, 21-17.
Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak presented the trophies to winners. Others present were Amrit Abhijat (IAS), Suhas LY (IAS) Amit Singh (IAS), chairman of UP Badminton Association Viraj Sagar Das, president of UPBA Dr Navneet Sehgal, BBD Group chairperson Alka Das Gupta and justice Ashok Kumar.
Second-seeded Indian duo Trisha Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela became the first Indian pair to clinch the women’s doubles title at the Syed Modi tournament.
Top-seeded Sindhu defeated China’s Wu Luo Yu in a 47-minute match, 21-14, 21-16. The world champion and Olympic medalist dominated the first game, taking a commanding 11-9 lead at the break. After allowing her opponent only five more points, Sindhu comfortably claimed the first game. In the second game, though Wu levelled the score at 5-5 and took a narrow 11-10 lead at the break, Sindhu staged a strong comeback with precise smashes and drop shots to seal the win.
This victory marks Sindhu’s first title since her triumph at the 2022 Singapore Open and adds to her Syed Modi titles from 2017 and 2022.
After clinching the title, Sindhu expressed relief at ending a long title drought with her triumph on Sunday and hoped the result would mark the beginning of another successful phase in her career. “This win will definitely give me a lot of confidence. Being 29 is an advantage in many ways because I have a lot of experience. Being smart and experienced is key, and I’m definitely going to play for the next couple of years,” Sindhu told reporters.
“My main goal is to stay injury-free, which is very, very important. The Los Angeles (Olympics) is still too far away. I will definitely play, but the main thing is staying injury-free and enjoying the sport. If I stay fit, then why not?” she added.
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, Lakshya Sen edged past fourth-seeded Singaporean Jia Heng Jason Teh in just 31 minutes, winning 21-6, 21-7. Lakshya’s fast-paced game left Teh struggling, with the Singaporean committing a series of unforced errors. The Indian stormed to an 8-0 lead in the first game. He then won nine of the next 10 final points to wrap up the first game in no time.
Lakshya continued his relentless attack in the second game, surging to a commanding 10-1 lead by the mid-game interval. The Indian extended his advantage to 15-5, and despite Teh’s brief resurgence, Lakshya’s impeccable defence and fitness held firm. At 16-7, he displayed his versatility with powerful down-the-line smashes and cross-court net shots, reaching 20-7. The match concluded with Teh sending a shot long, sealing Lakshya’s first Syed Modi International title.
“I am really happy with the way I had prepared and how I played the match. I hope to do well in the tournaments next year. I have some time now till the new season, which will allow me to train and focus on the upcoming events,” Lakshya said.
In women’s doubles, Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Trisha Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela defeated China’s Bao Li Jing and Li Qian 21-18, 21-11 in a 41-minute match. In mixed doubles, sixth-seeded Thai pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai defeated India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto 18-21, 21-14, 21-8. In men’s doubles, China’s Huang Di and Liu Yang overcame India’s Sai Prateek and Prithvi Krishnamurthy Roy 21-14, 19-21, 21-17.
Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak presented the trophies to winners. Others present were Amrit Abhijat (IAS), Suhas LY (IAS) Amit Singh (IAS), chairman of UP Badminton Association Viraj Sagar Das, president of UPBA Dr Navneet Sehgal, BBD Group chairperson Alka Das Gupta and justice Ashok Kumar.
