Former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth produced one of the standout results of the opening round at the Thailand Open 2026 after defeating eighth seed Loh Kean Yew in straight games at the Nimibutr Stadium in Patumwan on Tuesday.
Srikanth, who arrived in Thailand after helping India secure a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup, looked in complete control throughout the contest against the Singaporean star. The Indian shuttler wrapped up a dominant 21-14, 21-15 victory in just 30 minutes to move into the pre-quarterfinals, where he will next face Chinese Taipei's Su Li Yang.
Lakshya Sen also made a winning return after recovering from injury. Playing his first tournament since the Thomas Cup, Lakshya defeated Singapore's Jia Heng Jason Teh 21-16, 21-17
in 43 minutes to book his place in the next round.
In the women's singles draw, PV Sindhu began her campaign with a comfortable straight-game victory over Chinese Taipei's Tung Ciou-Tong. Despite trailing 3-0 early in the opening game, the sixth seed quickly settled into rhythm and completed a 21-9, 21-12 win.
PV Sindhu will face Amalie Schulz in the Round 16 of Thailand Open
Thailand Masters 2026 champion Devika Sihag also progressed after overcoming Japan's Natsuki Nidaira in a three-game battle. The young Indian started strongly by taking the opening game 21-19, but Nidaira responded in the second after reeling off six consecutive points from 15-13 to force a decider.
Devika initially struggled to hold her advantage in the final game as the scores were level at 5-5, but a decisive seven-point burst helped her open up a commanding lead before she eventually closed out a 21-19, 13-21, 21-15 victory.
She will next face Thailand's Pitchamon Opatniputh.
Malvika Bansod also advanced after recovering from a game down to beat her Canadian opponent 13-21, 26-24, 21-13 in a match lasting 53 minutes.
Meanwhile, Anmol Kharb pushed World No. 4 and second seed Chen Yu Fei to the limit in one of the toughest matches of the day. The Indian youngster claimed the opening game 21-19 and even raced to an 11-2 lead in the decider, but could not hold on as the Chinese star completed a comeback to win 19-21, 21-13, 21-18 after one hour and ten minutes.
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