India Open 2025: Anupama Advances, Malvika and Priyanshu Face Tough Losses
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Synopsis
In the opening round of the India Open 2025 held in New Delhi, Anupama Upadhyaya advanced to the second round after defeating Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj. Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat put forth commendable efforts but ultimately lost to their higher-ranked adversaries. The tournament continues to showcase emerging talents.
Key Takeaways
- Anupama Upadhyaya wins her match.
- Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat lose to higher-ranked players.
- All-Indian clash ends with Anupama advancing.
- Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto also progress.
- Experience plays a crucial role in match outcomes.
New Delhi, Jan 15 (NationPress) Anupama Upadhyaya triumphed in a matchup between two emerging women’s singles talents, while Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat fought valiantly against higher-ranked competitors but ultimately fell short in the first round of the India Open 2025 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall here on Wednesday.
Malvika saved two game points in the first game and rallied from 7-14 to 16-16 in the second against the third seed in women’s singles, Han Yue of China, before succumbing with scores of 20-22, 21-16, 21-11 after an hour and six minutes.
The comeback effort of H.S Prannoy, a bronze medallist at both the Asian Games and World Championships, was halted by Su Li Yang, as the 32-year-old Indian lost with scores of 16-21, 21-18, 21-12 over the course of an hour and 13 minutes.
Rajawat saved a match point in the second game to push a decider against the sixth seed and 2023 world championships silver medallist Kodai Naraoka, but ultimately lost 21-16, 22-20, 21-13 in a match lasting an hour and 22 minutes in the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.
Earlier, the all-Indian duel between academy friends Anupama and Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj became a tactical contest, where experience prevailed over youth. Former national champion Anupama engaged Rakshitha in long rallies, minimizing her opportunities for powerful smashes, and won with scores of 21-17, 21-18 in 43 minutes to reach the second round.
Anupama is set to face the sixth seed from Japan, Tomaka Miyazaki, who bounced back from a slump in the second game to defeat Pornpicha Choeikeewong of Thailand 21-7, 22-24, 21-9 in the first round.
Also moving on to the next round were the seventh-seeded women’s doubles pair Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, Rutuparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda, along with the mixed doubles team of Ashith Surya and Amruta Pramuthesh.
Ashwini and Tanisha bested compatriots Kavya Gupta and Radhika Sharma with scores of 21-11, 21-12, while the Panda sisters overcame the young Thai duo Phattarin Aiamvareesrisakul and Sarisa Janpeng 7-21, 21-19, 21-14. Ashith and Amruta then defeated K Tarun and Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli 21-14, 21-15 to advance to the mixed doubles second round.
However, the heartbreaking defeats of young talents Malvika and Rajawat left local badminton fans stunned, as both gave their all.
Malvika, who lost to Han in straight games last week in Malaysia, began strongly in the first game; despite the Chinese player gaining control later on, she maintained her composure to save two game points and clinch the first game. After winning eight of the nine points from 7-14 in the second game, a couple of errors hindered her effort, and Han tightened her grip in the final game.
In men’s singles, Rajawat showcased impressive stroke play and used powerful jump smashes to keep up with Naroaka. The Japanese player had to work hard for each point, and the error Rajawat forced the sixth seed into at match point in the second game after an extended rally demonstrated his readiness for the battle. Yet, the experience of Naraoka proved decisive in the end.
Key Results:
Men’s singles
Loh Kean Yew (Sin) defeated Chia Hao Lee (Tpe) 21-15, 22-20; Kodai Naroaka (Jpn) defeated Priyanshu Rajawat 21-16, 20-22, 21-13; Jonathan Christie (Ina) defeated Wang Tzu Wei (Tpe) 21-18, 21-15; Su Li Yang (Tpe) defeated H.S Prannoy (Ind) 16-21, 21-18, 21-12.
Women’s singles: Pornpawee Chochuwong (Tha) defeated Aakarshi Kashyap (Ind) 21-17, 21-13; Tomaka Miyazaki (Jpn) defeated Pornpicha Choeikeewong (Tha) 21-7, 22-24, 21-9; Anupama Upadhyaya (Ind) defeated Rakshita Sree SR (Ind) 21-17, 21-18; Han Yue (Chn) defeated Malvika Bansod (Ind) 20-22, 21-16, 21-11; An Se Young (Kor) defeated Chiu Pin-Chian (Tpe) 22-20, 21-15.
Men’s doubles:
Ben Lane/Sean Vendy (Eng) defeated Chaynit Joshi/Mayank Rana (Ind) 21-8, 21-14; Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (Chn) defeated Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi (Mas) 21-12, 19-21, 21-15.
Women’s doubles:
Rutuparna Panda/Swetparna Panda (Ind) defeated Phattarin Aiamvareesrisakul/Sarisa Janpeng (Tha) 7-21, 21-19, 21-14; Ashwini Ponnappa/Tanisha Crasto (Ind) defeated Kavya Gupta/Radhika Sharma (Ind) 21-11, 21-12; Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong (Kor) defeated Mansa Rawat/Gayatri Rawat (Ind) 21-7, 21-3.
Mixed doubles:
Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie (Mas) defeated Rinov Rivaldy/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati (Ina) 21-17, 21-17; Ashith Surya/Amruta Pramuthesh (Ind) defeated K Tarun/Sri Priya Krishna Kudaravalli 21-14, 21-15.
