India, Oct. 8 -- The Arctic Open 2026 moves into its Round of 16 stage on Thursday, with PV Sindhu and Tanvi Sharma carrying India's women's singles challenge in Vantaa, Finland.

Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu, seeded sixth, made a smooth start to her campaign by defeating Canada's Wen Yu Zhang 21-8, 21-11 in just 28 minutes. The Indian controlled the match from the beginning and never allowed her opponent to settle. Sindhu will now face Japan's Riko Gunji in the last 16.

Sindhu has already faced Gunji once this season. The Indian won their Singapore Open meeting in May 21-9, 21-12, giving her a 1-0 record against the Japanese youngster heading into Thursday's clash.

Tanvi Sharma also began her Arctic Open campaign with a straight-g...