French Open 2026: PV Sindhu leads India’s badminton challenge in Paris
India’s leading badminton players will be looking to turn around a difficult run of results when the French Open 2026 gets underway in Paris. Headlined by two-time Olympic medallist P. V. Sindhu, the Indian contingent will compete for a share of the USD 950,000 prize pool at the Super 750 tournament, which runs from October 20 to 25 at Arena Grand.
The event offers a demanding test across the singles and doubles draws, with several Indian players facing seeded opponents or fellow compatriots in the opening rounds. For the team’s established names, Paris is a chance to regain momentum. For younger shuttlers, it is an opportunity to make a statement on one of badminton’s prominent international stages.
Sindhu faces familiar challenge against world No. 1 An Se-young
Sindhu’s opening assignment is among the tournament’s toughest: a clash with South Korea’s An Se-young, the reigning world No. 1. The head-to-head record adds another layer to the encounter, with Sindhu having lost all 10 of their previous meetings. The Indian star will need to disrupt An’s rhythm and find ways to control the rallies if she is to change that pattern in Paris.
There is added intrigue after Indian youngster Tanvi Sharma gave An a strong contest at the Denmark Open. Tanvi’s performance showed that the top seed can be challenged, even if overcoming her remains a formidable task. Sindhu brings extensive experience at major events, but the match will demand patience, precision and an effective attacking plan.
India’s women’s singles field
India’s challenge in women’s singles extends well beyond Sindhu. Tanvi Sharma meets compatriot Isharani Baruah in an all-Indian first-round match, guaranteeing one Indian player a place in the next stage. The encounter also gives both shuttlers a valuable chance to build confidence at a high-level tournament.
Ashmita Chaliha faces China’s Han Qian Xi, while Devika Sihag takes on fifth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia. Unnati Hooda, who reached the second round at last year’s French Open, begins against Japan’s Riko Gunji. Each match presents a different challenge, from navigating a seeded opponent to handling the pressure of a close contest between fellow Indians.
Men’s singles: Lakshya Sen looks to respond
Lakshya Sen will be eager to put his Denmark Open first-round exit behind him. He lost there to Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei and now faces Japan’s sixth seed Kodai Naraoka. Naraoka is known for his consistency and ability to extend rallies, so Lakshya may need to combine disciplined defence with timely attacking shots to create openings.
Ayush Shetty and Kidambi Srikanth have been drawn against each other in the first round, making an Indian player’s early elimination unavoidable. The result could also shape the later stages of the draw: if Lakshya wins his opening match, he could face the winner of the Shetty-Srikanth contest in an all-Indian Round of 16 clash. Such match-ups can be difficult for players, but they also guarantee India a potential presence deeper into the tournament.
Satwik-Chirag seek a doubles revival
Men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty enter the French Open as the fifth seeds. Their campaign begins against French brothers Christo Popov and Toma Popov, a home pairing likely to draw strong support from the Paris crowd.
The Indian duo will be keen to rebound after first-round exits at the Asian Games and the Denmark Open. A strong start matters in a Super 750 event, where the draw can quickly become more demanding. Satwik and Chirag have the experience and attacking ability to contend with the leading pairs, but they will need to find consistency early and manage the pressure of facing a home team.
Women’s doubles and other Indian entries
World Championships bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will open against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chih-Chun and Yang Chu-Yun. Their recent medal-winning performance gives them a platform to build on, though the opening tie will require sharp coordination and control at the net.
Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda also feature in the women’s doubles draw. They take on Japan’s Ririna Hiramoto and Chiharu Shida, another challenging assignment against a pair from one of badminton’s strongest nations. For both Indian teams, a composed start and effective communication will be important as they look to advance beyond the opening round.
What happened for India at last year’s French Open?
India did not have a finalist at last year’s edition, which was held at the Glaz Arena in Cesson-Sévigné. The second round proved to be the furthest any Indian entry progressed. Unnati Hooda in women’s singles, Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi in women’s doubles, and Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde in mixed doubles all exited at that stage.
The results underline the opportunity before the Indian team in 2026. Reaching the later rounds would represent a meaningful step forward, particularly for players hoping to convert promising performances into consistent results on the World Tour. With experienced campaigners and emerging talent across the draw, India has several possible routes to a breakthrough week.
How to follow the French Open 2026
The French Open runs from October 20 to 25 at Arena Grand in Paris. Badminton fans can follow the tournament through the BWF TV YouTube channel, where coverage and updates will help viewers keep track of the action. With Sindhu’s high-profile test, Lakshya Sen’s chance to respond and several Indian doubles pairs in contention, the tournament promises a busy week for supporters following India’s badminton campaign.
