Did Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod Exit the Thailand Open in Round Two?
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Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events at the Thailand Open, Indian badminton stars Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod faced early exits in the women's singles category. With their departures, the focus now shifts to the remaining Indian athletes as they aim to keep the nation's hopes alive in this prestigious tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod were eliminated from the Thailand Open in the second round.
- Both players faced seasoned competitors, leading to their defeats.
- Unnati is a two-time BWF title winner.
- Malvika fought valiantly but could not secure a win against Ratchanok Intanon.
- India's hopes now rely on the remaining athletes in the tournament.
Bangkok, May 15 (NationPress) The Indian representation at the Thailand Open took a major hit on Thursday as emerging talents Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod exited the Super 500 tournament during the second round of the women’s singles event.
Both players faced challenging local competitors, resulting in straight-game losses that curtailed their journey in the tournament sooner than anticipated.
At just 17, Unnati Hooda has already claimed two BWF titles, winning at the Odisha Masters and Abu Dhabi Masters. However, she encountered the top seed and world No. 6, Pornpawee Chochuwong from Thailand.
The Thai star, renowned for her assertive play and quick court movement, took control of the match from the beginning. While Unnati displayed flashes of her skillful shot-making, she struggled to find her rhythm against the seasoned Chochuwong.
The match concluded with a scoreline of 14-21, 11-21 in a swift 39 minutes, with the young Indian unable to seize any momentum.
On the other hand, world No. 23 Malvika Bansod faced a formidable challenge against former world champion Ratchanok Intanon, a celebrated Thai player. The 2024 Hylo Open finalist found herself on the defensive early in both games, as Intanon's clever touches and deceptive play dictated the pace.
Malvika put forth a commendable effort in the second game but ultimately fell short, losing 12-21, 16-21.
With the exits of Unnati and Malvika, India's hopes now hinge on its remaining athletes in the tournament. Later today, the women's doubles team of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, as well as the men's doubles pair of Sai Pratheek K and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, will aim to keep their campaigns alive.
Both pairs have shown promising form on the BWF circuit and are targeting deep runs in Bangkok.
In singles, Tharun Mannepalli and Aakarshi Kashyap will also take to the court, striving to advance the Indian challenge.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the challenges faced by our young athletes on international platforms. While the departures of Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod are disappointing, it is imperative to support our remaining players as they strive to demonstrate their talent. The future of Indian badminton remains bright.
NationPress
10/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod lose?
Unnati Hooda faced the top seed Pornpawee Chochuwong, who demonstrated superior experience and skill. Malvika Bansod, up against former world champion Ratchanok Intanon, struggled with the pace and control of the match.
What are the implications of their early exit?
Their early exit puts additional pressure on the remaining players from India to perform well and uphold the nation's hopes in the tournament.
Who are the other Indian players still in the tournament?
The remaining Indian athletes include the women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, as well as the men's doubles duo Sai Pratheek K and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy.
