BWF World Series Super: In a high-octane all-Indian clash, 17-year-old Unnati Hooda delivered a sensational performance to overcome two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and book her place in the women’s singles quarterfinals at the China Open 2025 here on Thursday.
The match was a showcase of India’s present and future in badminton, with the rising star Unnati taking on the seasoned champion Sindhu. Unnati started strong, claiming the opening game 21-16, but Sindhu struck back in the second, edging it 21-19 in a tense finish. In the decider, Unnati displayed remarkable play, sealing the contest 21-13 to advance to the quarterfinals.
The 17-year-old Unnati from Haryana had a slight advantage at 19-18 after a neck-and-neck battle as lead exchanged hands repeatedly before Sindhu won three points in a row from 18 to win the second game and levelled scores.
In the decider, Unnati opened a 3-1 lead, and before Sindhu closed the gap to 5-6. Ranked 28th in the World, Unnati extended the lead to 10-5. She maintained the advantage to 13-6 before going on to seal the game and match at 21-13, winning five points in a row towards the end of the match.
This was their first head-to-head encounter at the international stage and thus Unnati's maiden victory over the seasoned Sindhu.
Unnati will now face World No. 4 and third seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the quarterfinals. In Men’s Doubles, Satwik-Chirag will take on Malaysia’s Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi in their quarterfinal clash.
This was their first head-to-head encounter at the international stage and thus Unnati's maiden victory over the seasoned Sindhu.
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The win in the men's doubles kept India's campaign alive in the BWF World Series Super 1000 event after HS Prannoy exited with a defeat to World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei after a hard-fought encounter in men’s singles.