In a high-octane all-Indian clash, 17-year-old Unnati Hooda delivered a sensational performance to overcome two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and book her place in the Women’s Singles quarterfinals at the China Open 2025 on Thursday.
The match was a showcase of India’s present and future in badminton, with the rising star Hooda taking on the seasoned champion Sindhu. Hooda started strong, claiming the opening game 21-16, but Sindhu struck back in the second, edging it 21-19 in a tense finish. In the decider, Hooda displayed remarkable play, sealing the contest 21-13 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Hooda will now face World No. 4 and third seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the quarterfinals. In Men’s Doubles, Satwik-Chirag will take on Malaysia’s Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi in their quarterfinal clash.
