Anupama Upadhyaya shines in second round, while Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat battle hard against top seeds

Anupama Upadhyaya triumphed in the clash between two emerging women’s singles talents, while Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat gave their all against much higher-ranked opponents.

New Delhi: Anupama Upadhyaya triumphed in the clash between two emerging women’s singles talents, while Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat gave their all against much higher-ranked opponents. Despite their strong efforts, both players were unfortunate to fall short in the opening round of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2025 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall on Wednesday.

Malvika fought off two game points in the first game and made a remarkable comeback from 7-14 to 16-16 in the second game against China’s third seed in women’s singles, Han Yue. However, she eventually lost 20-22, 21-16, 21-11 after an intense hour and six minutes.

Rajawat, on the other hand, saved a match point in the second game to push his match against the 2023 World Championships silver medallist and sixth seed Kodai Naraoka to a decider. Despite his efforts, he fell short 21-16, 22-20, 21-13 in a contest that lasted an hour and 22 minutes at the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.

In an all-Indian encounter, Anupama and Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj, both academy mates, faced off in a tactical duel, with experience prevailing over youth. Former national champion Anupama engaged Rakshitha in long rallies, limiting her chances to unleash powerful smashes, and won 21-17, 21-18 in 43 minutes to reach the second round.

Anupama will now meet Japan’s sixth seed, Tomaka Miyazaki, who bounced back from a slump in the second game to defeat Thailand’s Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-7, 22-24, 21-9 in the first round.

Also advancing to the next round were the seventh-seeded women’s doubles team of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, the Panda sisters, Rutuparna and Swetaparna Panda, and the mixed doubles duo of Ashith Surya and Amruta Pramuthesh. Ashwini and Tanisha won 21-11, 21-12 against compatriots Kavya Gupta and Radhika Sharma, while the Panda sisters triumphed 7-21, 21-19, 21-14 over Thai pair Phattarin Aiamvareesrisakul and Sarisa Janpeng. Ashith and Amruta overcame K Tarun and Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli 21-14, 21-15 to progress to the second round of mixed doubles.

However, the heartbreaking losses of Malvika and Rajawat left Indian badminton fans in shock, as both players fought valiantly. Malvika, who had been defeated by Han Yue in straight games the previous week in Malaysia, started strong but was unable to maintain her momentum after a late-stage rally by the Chinese player. Despite saving two game points, Malvika lost the second game, and Han’s experience proved crucial in the final decider.

In the men’s singles, Rajawat showcased impressive stroke play and powerful smashes, making Naraoka work for every point. The Indian even forced the sixth seed into errors, particularly at match point in the second game. However, it was Naraoka’s experience that ultimately decided the match in his favour.

HS Prannoy’s comeback attempt was also halted by Su Li Yang, with the 32-year-old Indian succumbing 16-21, 21-18, 21-12 in an hour and 13 minutes.

Important Results:

Men’s singles:
Loh Kean Yew (Sin) bt Chia Hao Lee (Tpe) 21-15, 22-20; 6-Kodai Naroaka (Jpn) bt Priyanshu Rajawat 21-16, 20-22, 21-13; 2-Jonathan Christie (Ina) bt Wang Tzu Wei (Tpe) 21-18, 21-15; Su Li Yang (Tpe) bt HS Prannoy (Ind) 16-21, 21-18, 21-12.

Women’s singles:
8-Pornpawee Chochuwong (Tha) bt Aakarshi Kashyap (Ind) 21-17, 21-13, 6-Tomaka Miyazaki (Jpn) bt Pornpicha Choeikeewong (Tha) 21-7, 22-24, 21-9, Anupama Upadhyaya (Ind) ) bt Rakshita Sree SR (Ind) 21-17, 21-18; 3-Han Yue (Chn) bt Malvika Bansod (Ind) 20-22, 21-16, 21-11; 1-An Se Young (Kor) bt Chiu Pin-Chian (Tpe) 22-20, 21-15

Men’s doubles:
Ben Lane/Sean Vendy (Eng) bt China Joshi/Mayank Rana (Ind) 21-8, 21-14; 2-Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (Chn) bt Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi (Mas) 21-12, 19-21, 21-1

Women’s doubles:
Rutuparna Panda/Swetparna Panda (Ind) bt Phattarin Aiamvareesrisakul/Sarisa Janpeng (Tha) 7-21, 21-19, 21-14; 7-Ashwini Ponnappa/Tanisha Crasto (Ind) bt Kavya Gupta/Radhika Sharma (Ind) 21-11, 21-12; Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong (Kor) bt Mansa Rawat/Gayatri Rawat (Ind) 21-7, 21-3

Mixed doubles:
4-Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie (Mas) bt Rinov Rivaldy/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati (Ina) 21-17, 21-17; Ashith Surya/Amruta Pramuthesh (Ind) bt K Tarun/Sri Priya Krishna Kudaravalli 21-14, 21-15