India Open 2026: Daughter Passes First Test

JAKARTA - Putri Kusuma Wardani successfully passed the first test at the 2026 India Open. She stopped Michelle Li from Canada to secure a ticket to the second round of the BWF Super 750 level tournament.

The badminton player who has the status of the sixth seed must go through a struggle in the three-game match 21-12, 20-22, and 21-15 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Putri said that the struggle to maintain the dream in the tournament was not easy, especially the weather conditions on the playing field.

"Today I am quite satisfied to be able to win over Michelle Li again because it is not easy with the situation on the field. It was cold, a little windy, and there was a fog or smoke on the field that slightly affected the game because the ball looked a little blurry," said Putri.

This victory sweetened Putri's record of meeting with Li. On paper, she now has a 2-0 win-loss record against the 34-year-old shuttler.

Another victory was obtained by Putri when they met in the 2025 Australian Open semifinals last November. At that time, Putri was also forced to play the match for three games.

The next princess will face the Danish women's singles, Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt. On paper, the princess has a 3-2 win-loss record, two of which were in their most recent clashes.

"Tomorrow I will meet Line Kjaersfeldt who has an incredible fighting spirit. I must not lose my fighting spirit first," said the badminton player born in Tangerang.

Putri is one of four Indonesian representatives who play in India. She is down with Jonatan Christie, Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Mohammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, and Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi/Lanny Tria Mayasari.