Former world no 1 Kento Momota had a disappointing start to 2023 season as the Japanese shuttler lost in the first round of the India Open Super 750 here on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Two-time former world champion lost 15-21, 11-21 to Denmark's Rasmus Gemke, whom he had beaten in five out of six past meetings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Momota, who captured a record 11 titles in 2019, had a forgettable campaign last year as he lost in the first round of a tournament five times, and in the second round twice and didn't win a single trophy last season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Coming off a victory at last month's Japanese national championships, Momota had missed the season opener Malaysia Open Super 1000 last week, due to flu.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In women's singles, Rio Olympic champion Carolina Marin outplayed Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-13, 21-18. The Spaniard had an injury setback and is on the trail to find her best form.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Marin will be up against former world champion from Thailand Ratchanok Intanon, who trounced her Malaysian counterpart Goh Jin Wei 21-13, in the round-of-16.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Bulgarian duo of Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva too registered an easy 21-16, 21-10 win over their English opponents Cloe Birch & and Lauren Smith in the women's doubles opening round match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Stoeva sisters await the winner of the match between Jongkolphan Kititharakul & Rawinda Prajongjai of Thailand and Debora Jilli & Cheryl Seinen of France, in the second round.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Later in the day, India top men shuttler HS Prannoy and defending champion Lakshya Sen will cross swords to set up a second-round clash with Gemke.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Stoeva sisters await the winner of the match between Jongkolphan Kititharakul & Rawinda Prajongjai of Thailand and Debora Jilli & Cheryl Seinen of France, in the second round.<\/p>\r\n\r\n