Hylo Open: Lakshya Sen, PV Sindhu Storm Into Quarters; Anmol Kharb Pulls Up a Upset Against 3rd Seed

New Delhi, Oct 30: India's Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hylo Open 2026 after registering impressive victories in their respective pre-quarterfinal matches in Germany on Thursday. Anmol Kharb also grabbed the spotlight with a stunning upset over third seed Line Christophersen.

Seventh seed Lakshya Sen, ranked 14th in the world, defeated compatriot Kiran George 21-15, 18-21, 21-12 in a 54-minute men's singles encounter at Saarlandhalle. Sen started strongly, claiming the opening game before George fought back to level the contest. However, the Indian regained his rhythm in the decider to seal the win. This was Sen's eighth victory in nine meetings against George. He remains India's sole representative in the men's singles competition.

Second seed PV Sindhu enjoyed a comfortable outing in the women's singles, brushing aside France's Rosy Oktavia Pancasari 21-9, 21-6 in just 26 minutes. Sindhu will next face Denmark's Amalie Schulz for a place in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Anmol Kharb delivered one of the day's biggest surprises by knocking out Denmark's third seed and world number 12 Line Christophersen. The 53rd-ranked Indian displayed remarkable resilience, recovering from an opening-game loss to prevail 11-21, 21-18, 25-23 in a thrilling 63-minute battle.

Kharb will now face compatriot Unnati Hooda in an all-Indian quarterfinal. Hooda booked her place in the last eight with a straight-game 21-11, 21-19 victory over Denmark's Frederikke Ostergaard.

However, the day ended in disappointment for two other Indian women's singles players. Malvika Bansod went down 21-11, 21-17 against Canada's Wen Yu Zhang, while Isharani Baruah suffered a 21-14, 21-19 defeat against Denmark's eighth seed Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt.

With three Indian women's singles players and Sen progressing, the Indian contingent will look to build on its momentum in the quarterfinals.