Young Star Unnati Hooda Shines as Indian Shuttlers Excel at China Open 2025

Unnati Hooda showcased her remarkable talent by overpowering seasoned Scottish player Kirsty Gilmour in a decisive 21-11, 21-16 victory at the China Open 2025, reported the Badminton Association of India (BAI). The 17-year-old prodigy now prepares for a high-stakes face-off against fellow Indian PV Sindhu in the Round-of-16.

PV Sindhu handled an initial setback with composure at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in Changzhou. Despite facing a potential exit at the hands of Japan's Tomoka Miyazaki, Sindhu demonstrated her resolve, turning the match around to secure a spot in the pre-quarterfinals, ultimately defeating Miyazaki 21-15, 8-21, 21-17.

Sindhu's battle with Miyazaki saw her take an early lead, dominating the first game effortlessly. However, the second game witnessed Miyazaki capturing control with a commanding 8-21 win. In a fiercely contested decider, Sindhu surged ahead in the end to claim her place in the tournament's next phase.

In the women's doubles arena, the Panda sisters faced formidable opposition from a skilled Hong Kong China duo, resulting in an early exit with a 12-21, 13-21 defeat. Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty demonstrated their prowess, advancing to the Round-of-16 after defeating Japan's Kenya Mitsuhashi and Hiroki Okamura with a convincing 21-13, 21-9 win.

Rankireddy and Shetty maintained their unbeaten record against the Japanese team, showcasing disciplined performance and strong strategy throughout their match. In stark contrast, Lakshya Sen's journey ended in disappointment, whereas HS Prannoy barely clinched a win in a tense encounter earlier in the tournament.