Malaysia Open Highlights: Kidambi Srikanth stuns world number 5 Jonatan Christie

Indian shuttlers started the 2024 season at the Malaysia Open with Kidambi Srikanth, Tanisha Crasto/Ashwini Ponnappa, and Dhruv Kapila/Arjun MR were in action on day-1.

Kidambi Srikanth made a rollicking start to his campaign in 2024 with a come-from-behind victory over world no. 5 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in the first round. He won the match 12-21, 21-18, 21-16 in an hour and five minutes.

In women's doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto hammered Francesca Corbett and Allison Lee of the USA 21-13, 21-16 to advance to the second round. However, Rutuparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda lost in straight set (11-21, 12-21) to seventh seeded Japanese pair of Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara in round-1 clash.

In women's singles, Aakarshi Kashyap was no match for Zhang Yi Man of China as she lost 15-21, 15-21.

In men's doubles, MR Arjun, making a comeback from an injury sustained at the Asian Games in October, lost in the first round partnering with Dhruv Kapila. The Indian pair lost to Fang-Chih Lee and Fang-Jen Lee 16-21, 19-21.

As it Happened: