Key points
- The Korea Open, a USD 500,000 BWF World Tour Super 500 event, begins in Yeosu, South Korea, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu have withdrawn from the tournament after winning the men's and women's singles titles respectively at the HYLO Open in Germany.
- HS Prannoy will lead India's men's singles challenge and is scheduled to open against South Korea's Yoo Tae Bin.
- Tanvi Sharma, the Taipei Open winner earlier in 2026, begins her women's singles campaign against Japan's Manami Suizu.
- Malvika Bansod will face fourth seed Sim Yu Jin, while Anmol Kharb takes on Canada's Rachel Chan after reaching the HYLO Open semifinals.
- India's doubles entries include Sonali Singh and Ritika Thaker in women's doubles, and Dhruv Rawat with K. Maneesha in mixed doubles.
India's badminton challenge at the Korea Open will be led by HS Prannoy and Tanvi Sharma after Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu opted out of the USD 500,000 BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament. The event begins in Yeosu, South Korea, on Tuesday, November 3, following the Indian pair's title-winning campaigns at the HYLO Open in Germany.
HYLO Open champions take a break
Lakshya and Sindhu completed a memorable double for India at the HYLO Open, winning the men's and women's singles titles respectively. Lakshya ended a year-long title drought with a victory over Indonesia's Jonatan Christie in the final, while Sindhu defeated Denmark's Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt in straight games to claim the women's crown.
Lakshya had been scheduled to open his Korea Open campaign against China's Dong Tian Yao but withdrew from the tournament. Sindhu has also decided to sit out the Korea Open and the subsequent Japan Masters as she takes a break after her title-winning run in Germany.
Their absence changes the shape of India's singles challenge, creating opportunities for the other members of the squad to make a strong impression on the international circuit. The tournament is a Super 500 event with a prize purse of USD 500,000.
Prannoy takes charge in men's singles
HS Prannoy will be India's leading name in the men's singles draw. The former world No. 1 and bronze medallist at the 2023 World Championships is scheduled to begin against South Korea's Yoo Tae Bin. Prannoy will be aiming for a deep run in a field that includes Chinese Taipei top seed Chou Tien Chen, Japan's third seed Kodai Naraoka and Canada's Victor Lai.
With Lakshya absent, Prannoy's experience will be important for the Indian contingent. His opening-round match against home player Yoo gives him an immediate test in front of the Korean crowd, while the draw also features several established international names.
Tanvi, Malvika and Anmol in women's singles
Tanvi Sharma leads the Indian women's singles entries. The youngster arrives after winning the Taipei Open earlier in 2026 and will start against Japan's Manami Suizu. Her performance in Yeosu will be one of the points of interest for the Indian team in the absence of Sindhu.
Malvika Bansod faces a difficult opening assignment against South Korea's fourth seed Sim Yu Jin. Anmol Kharb, meanwhile, will meet Canada's Rachel Chan. Anmol comes into the event after reaching the semifinals of the HYLO Open, where her run ended against eventual champion Sindhu.
The three Indian women have different first-round challenges, with Tanvi seeking to build on her Taipei title, Malvika drawn against a seeded home player and Anmol looking to carry her recent form into another World Tour event.
India also represented in doubles
India will have entries in both women's doubles and mixed doubles. Sonali Singh and Ritika Thaker are scheduled to take on Australia's Laudya Chelsea Griselda and Nozomi Shimizu in the women's doubles event.
In mixed doubles, Dhruv Rawat and K. Maneesha have been drawn against China's seventh seeds Zhu Yi Jun and Li Qian. These pairings give India additional representation beyond the singles events as the team begins its campaign in Yeosu.
For the Indian contingent, the Korea Open offers an opportunity to maintain momentum on the BWF World Tour after the HYLO Open successes. While the two singles champions are taking time away from competition, Prannoy, Tanvi and the remaining entries will carry India's hopes at the Super 500 tournament.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu missing from the Korea Open?
Both Indian players have opted out after winning their respective singles titles at the HYLO Open in Germany. Lakshya Sen withdrew despite being scheduled to face China's Dong Tian Yao, while Sindhu has chosen to rest after her title-winning campaign and will also skip the Japan Masters.
When and where will the Korea Open 2026 be played?
The USD 500,000 BWF World Tour Super 500 Korea Open begins on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Yeosu, South Korea. The tournament features Indian entries in men's and women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.
Who will lead India's men's singles challenge at the Korea Open?
Experienced shuttler HS Prannoy will lead India's men's singles challenge. The former world No. 1 and 2023 World Championships bronze medallist is scheduled to open against South Korea's Yoo Tae Bin in Yeosu.
Who are India's leading women's singles players at the Korea Open?
Tanvi Sharma, the Taipei Open winner earlier in 2026, will face Japan's Manami Suizu in her opening match. Malvika Bansod has drawn fourth seed Sim Yu Jin, while Anmol Kharb will meet Canada's Rachel Chan after reaching the HYLO Open semifinals.
Which Indian players are competing in the Korea Open doubles events?
India's women's doubles entry is Sonali Singh and Ritika Thaker, who are scheduled to play Australia's Laudya Chelsea Griselda and Nozomi Shimizu. In mixed doubles, Dhruv Rawat and K. Maneesha will face China's seventh seeds Zhu Yi Jun and Li Qian.
Will PV Sindhu play the Japan Masters after the Korea Open?
No. The report says Sindhu has opted to skip both the Korea Open and the subsequent Japan Masters to take a break after winning the women's singles title at the HYLO Open in Germany.