China Open 2025: Sindhu downs Unnati, Ayush stuns World No. 11 Farhan
Synopsis
Just days after ending her title drought at the Japan Open, Sindhu avenged last year's China Open exit by defeating Unnati Hooda in three games — and now faces former Olympic champion Chen Yufei next. Meanwhile, Ayush Shetty's three-game demolition of World No. 11 Alwi Farhan is the biggest upset of his senior career, settling a 2023 World Juniors semifinal score in the process.
Key Takeaways
Sindhu defeated Unnati Hooda 21-14, 9-21, 21-10 in 56 minutes at the China Open in Changzhou on 22 July .
Sindhu avenged her China Open exit at the hands of Hooda from the previous year.
Ayush Shetty upset World No.
11 Alwi Farhan 21-17, 5-21, 21-17 to reach the men's singles last 16.
Shetty had previously lost to Farhan in the 2023 World Junior Championships semifinals.
Sindhu next faces fourth seed and former Olympic champion Chen Yufei , whom she defeated at last week's Japan Open.
India's doubles pairs — Kapoor/Gadde , Kapila/Crasto , and Arjun/Amsakarunan — all exited in the first round.
P.V. Sindhu continued her resurgent form at the China Open in Changzhou on Wednesday, 22 July, defeating compatriot Unnati Hooda in a three-game first-round battle, while Ayush Shetty delivered the upset of the day by eliminating World No. 11 Alwi Farhan of Indonesia to advance to the men's singles pre-quarterfinals.
Sindhu Settles Last Year's Score
The two-time Olympic medallist prevailed 21-14, 9-21, 21-10 against 18-year-old Hooda in a contest spanning 56 minutes. The win carried extra significance: Sindhu had been knocked out by the same opponent at the China Open the previous year. This time, she absorbed the pressure of a competitive second game before reasserting control in the decider.
The victory arrives just days after Sindhu ended a lengthy title drought by winning the Japan Open last week — a run of form that has visibly lifted her confidence heading into the latter rounds.
What Awaits Sindhu Next
Her second-round assignment is a high-profile rematch against Chen Yufei of China, the fourth seed and a former Olympic champion. Notably, Sindhu defeated Chen during her Japan Open title campaign, giving the Indian a psychological edge heading into the contest.
Ayush Shetty's Breakthrough Win
Ayush Shetty overcame former World Junior champion Alwi Farhan 21-17, 5-21, 21-17 to book a place in the last 16. The result also carried personal significance — Shetty had lost to Farhan in the semifinals of the 2023 World Junior Championships.
Shetty took the opening game with disciplined attacking play before Farhan dominated the second set. The young Indian, however, regrouped in the decider, producing a composed display in the closing stages to complete one of the standout results of his senior career.
India's Doubles Exits
The day proved disappointing in the doubles draws. Mixed doubles pair Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde fell to top seeds Yan Zhe Feng and Dong Ping Huang in straight games. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also exited, losing to China's Xin Wa Guo and Fang Hui Chen.
In men's doubles, M.R. Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan were beaten by fourth seeds Wei Keng Liang and Chang Wang, ending India's campaign in the discipline.
Lakshya Sen Up Next
Lakshya Sen is scheduled to open his men's singles campaign later against Japan's Yushi Tanaka. A strong showing from Sen would give India further reason for optimism after a mixed opening day.
Point of View
Meanwhile, is the kind of result that can reframe a career trajectory. India's doubles collapse, however, is a persistent structural concern — the country continues to produce singles depth while its doubles pairs remain unable to trouble the top Asian combinations.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Sindhu vs Unnati Hooda at the China Open 2025?
P.V. Sindhu defeated Unnati Hooda 21-14, 9-21, 21-10 in 56 minutes in the first round of the China Open 2025 in Changzhou on 22 July. Sindhu recovered from losing the second game to dominate the decider.
Who does Sindhu play next at the China Open?
Sindhu faces fourth seed Chen Yufei of China in the second round. Chen is a former Olympic champion, but Sindhu defeated her during her Japan Open title-winning run last week.
How did Ayush Shetty beat World No. 11 Alwi Farhan?
Ayush Shetty defeated Alwi Farhan 21-17, 5-21, 21-17, winning the opening and deciding games after Farhan dominated the second. The victory is one of the biggest wins of Shetty's senior career.
What is the significance of Shetty's win over Farhan?
Shetty had lost to Farhan in the semifinals of the 2023 World Junior Championships, making the China Open result a personal reversal. Farhan is ranked World No. 11, making it a notable upset on the senior circuit.
How did India's doubles pairs fare at the China Open 2025?
All three Indian doubles pairs exited in the first round. Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde lost to top seeds Yan Zhe Feng and Dong Ping Huang, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto fell to Guo and Chen, and M.R. Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan were beaten by fourth seeds Liang and Wang.
