US Open 2026: Tanvi, Devika, Rounak, Srikanth register comfortable victories

Indian badminton stars are off to a flying start at the Yonex US Open 2026 in Fullerton, California, with a strong contingent securing comfortable wins on Wednesday. Rising talents Tanvi Sharma, Devika Sihag, and Rounak Chouhan, alongside seasoned campaigner Kidambi Srikanth, all advanced, setting a promising tone for India's campaign in the BWF World Tour Super 300 event. The victories underscore the depth of talent emerging from India's badminton ecosystem. These early round successes are crucial for the Indian shuttlers, particularly the younger generation, as the US Open provides valuable ranking points and international exposure. Tanvi Sharma, already a World Junior Championship silver medallist, demonstrated her class by overcoming Germany's Yvonne Li. Devika Sihag, fresh off her Thailand Masters triumph, continued her impressive form against Peru's Ines Lucia Castillo. Meanwhile, Rounak Chouhan emerged victorious from an all-Indian clash against S Sankar Muthusamy, and former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth dispatched fellow Indian Dayanand Saneeth efficiently. The road ahead promises tougher challenges, with Kidambi Srikanth notably set to face Olympic bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia in the second round. The performances of these players, especially the junior stars like Tanvi and Devika, will be keenly watched as they aim for deeper runs in the tournament. With other Indian pairs like Dhruv Rawat/K Maneesha and Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand also progressing, the Indian badminton contingent is looking to make a significant impact on the global stage, aiming to convert these early wins into podium finishes and further solidify India's rising prominence in the sport.