Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 15: Covid-19 is still wreaking havoc on the ongoing India Open 2022 badminton tournament, after seven Indian players, including Kidambi Srikanth and Ashwini Ponappa, tested positive earlier last week. Rodion Alimov, the Russian No. 2 seeded mixed doubles player, tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.
Now, due to Alimov’s positive test, his partner Alina Davletova was also pulled from Saturday’s mixed doubles semifinal (January 15). As a result, Yong Kai Terry Hee and Wei Han Tan of Indonesia were given a walkover into the final.
“Badminton World Federation (BWF) can confirm that one player from the current draw has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been withdrawn from the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2022. The player returned a positive result to a mandatory RT-PCR test conducted on Friday. His doubles partner has been identified as a close contact and has also been withdrawn from the tournament,” a statement from BWF read.
“Their opponents will be given a walkover to the final. Testing protocols have been implemented in accordance with Badminton World Federation and Badminton Association of India guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all participants,” the statement added.
Notably, the semifinals of the tournament start on Saturday.
