Changzhou, July 21 -- Indian shuttlers endured a disappointing start to the China Open 2026 badminton tournament as both HS Prannoy and Devika Sihag suffered first-round exits in Changzhou, China, on Tuesday.

At the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, world No. 36 HS Prannoy went down 21-10, 21-14 to Malaysia's world No. 27 Leong Jun Hao in the men's singles opening round, as per Olympics.

Prannoy's first-round exit further extended a difficult 2026 campaign, with the Asian Games medallist yet to advance beyond the second round in any of the eight tournaments he has featured in this season.

Unable to find his rhythm from the start, the 34-year-old Indian was put under pressure early by Leong Jun Hao, trailing 11-2 at the interval before s...