World junior championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma, women’s doubles national champions Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam and Tharun Mannepalli were promoted to the main draw of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 after the withdrawal of some of the top players on the eve of the tournament.
World champion and men’s singles world no. 1 pulled out of the tournament after he had to retire in Sunday’s Malaysia Open 2026 final against Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
In women’s singles, women’s third seed and reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi, who had retired against PV Sindhu in the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open, also pulled out, paving the way for Tanvi to make her India Open debut.
Tanvi will face second seed Wang Zhi Yi of China in the opening round and if she can pull off an upset, the 16-year-old could meet PV Sindhu in the second round.
Tharun’s elevation from the reserved category means, there will be two all-India contests in the opening round of men’s singles. While Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty will be up against each other, Tharun will face Kidambi Srikanth in the opening round.
In women’s doubles, Ashwini and Sikha will face Margot Lambert and Camille Pognante of France in the opening round.
Withdrawals
Men’s singles: Shi Yu Qi (CHN), Weng Hong Yang (CHN)
Women’s singles: Akane Yamaguchi (JPN), Sim Yu Jin (KOR)
Men’s doubles: Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang (KOR)
Women’s doubles: Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian (CHN)
Promotions
Men’s singles: Justin Hoh (MAS), Tharun Mannepalli (IND)
Women’s singles: Huang Yu-Hsun (TPE), Tanvi Sharma (IND)
Men’s doubles: Kang Khai Xing/Aaron Tai (MAS)
Women’s doubles: Ashwini Bhat K./Shikha Gautam (IND)
