The 10th edition of the Tata Open India International Challenge in Mumbai was robbed of some of its star value after mixed doubles top seeds Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy pulled out of the tournament without playing a single match.
Chopra has still not recovered from two partial tears in his thigh, which he sustained during the mixed doubles final of the senior Nationals earlier this month.
There were no shock eliminations in the qualifying rounds on Wednesday. Two matches clocked over 50 minutes, with Bhavya Rishi beating Kanika Kanwal 21-16, 17-21, 21-15 and Amolika Singh Sisodiya getting the better of a tired Unnati Bisht, who was playing her second three-game match of the day, by a 20-22, 21-15, 22-20 scoreline.
One notable player who did not go through was India International Series champion Tanishq M, who retired with what appeared like hamstring trouble after trailing 4-11 in the first game against Vaishnavi Kaari.
The first round of the main draw, which will commence at 9 am on Thursday, does not involve any marquee clashes, although 19-year-old Shreyanshi Pardeshi, who impressed in the senior Nationals, versus third seed Yeo Jia Min has the potential to go all the way.
Men’s singles top seed Sourabh Verma could also meet Chirag Sen, who took HS Prannoy to three games in the Nationals, in the second round.