India suffered a major setback in the Japan Super 750 Open on Wednesday with Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda and Laksha Sen All were eliminated in the first round.The timing of the early exit is worrying, with India set to host the World Championships in New Delhi next month after a gap of 17 years.Ayush came closest to an upset, defeating former world champion and second-seeded Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, but lost 19-21, 25-23, 15-21 in an 82-minute match.Unati Huda fought back after losing the first game, but lost to Chinese Taipei player Huang Yuxun 21-16, 16-21, 15-21. This was the second time she lost to the same opponent. Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen struggled in her match against Japan’s Koki Watanabe, losing 16-21, 14-21 in just 38 minutes.Ayush, 21, started well and took an early lead before Kunlavut fought back to win the first game. The Indian held on in the second game and produced a brilliant fightback after the Thai won four match points. Ayush saved all four to win a tight game and force a deciding match.The momentum didn’t last long, however, as Kunlavut quickly took control of the decider, opening up a healthy lead before comfortably ending the match.With three first-round exits, India’s hopes now rest on the two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and the mixed doubles of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Krasto.Sindhu will face China’s fifth seed Han Yue in the second round on Thursday, while Dhruv and Tanisha will face top seeds Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping.
