HS Prannoy of India began his Olympic journey with a strong performance, defeating Germany's Fabian Roth in straight games, 21-18, 21-12, in the men's singles group stage at the Paris Olympics. Prannoy, who is recovering from chikungunya, showcased impressive fitness and skill over the 45-minute match, overcoming an initial challenge from Roth, ranked world No. 82. After a closely contested first game, Prannoy dominated the second, demonstrating his superior court coverage and tactical play. He is set to face Le Duc Phat of Vietnam in his next match, where only one player can qualify for the next round from each group. This victory follows a series of successful performances by Indian badminton players in the tournament, including PV Sindhu and the men's doubles team. Prannoy is expected to top his group, paving the way for a potential clash with notable competitors like Lakshya Sen or Jonatan Christie.