In a major surprise at the ongoing China Open, 17-year-old Unnati Hooda defeated India’s star shuttler and double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu in a thrilling three-set match. The final score read 21-16, 19-21, 21-13, as Hooda showcased maturity beyond her years and outplayed her senior in a fast-paced, high-quality match in Changzhou.
Hooda’s win is being called one of the biggest upsets in recent Indian badminton history. Ranked 35th in the world, the youngster from Haryana entered the court with a solid game plan and executed it with confidence. She used her speed, smart placement, and low returns to counter Sindhu’s powerful style of play. By keeping the shuttle low and drawing Sindhu into longer rallies, she successfully disrupted the rhythm of the former world champion.
Sindhu, who is currently ranked 15th in the world, looked uncomfortable during several points, especially in the front court. Hooda kept targeting Sindhu’s forehand side with tight drop shots and difficult lifts, forcing errors and awkward returns. Even though Sindhu managed to take the second game, Hooda stayed calm and focused throughout.
In the third and deciding game, Hooda started strong and quickly built a 15-10 lead. She kept Sindhu under pressure with fast movement, smart angles, and sudden smashes. Her two down-the-line smashes at a crucial moment left Sindhu flat-footed and gave Hooda a big advantage. Sindhu tried to fight back but continued to make unforced errors, which allowed the teenager to finish the match with a brilliant cross-court smash.
This win is Hooda’s best career performance so far and a possible signal of a new rising star in Indian women’s badminton. Her calmness under pressure, sharp reflexes, and ability to stick to her plan throughout the match won her a lot of praise from fans and experts alike. The crowd cheered loudly as she sealed the final point and walked off the court with a big smile.
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With this victory, Unnati Hooda moves into the quarterfinals of the China Open, where she will face a tough challenge against World No. 4 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan. Yamaguchi is one of the top names in women’s badminton and will test Hooda’s consistency and endurance in a much-anticipated match.
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles category, India’s top pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating the Indonesian duo Carnando and Maulana in straight games, 21-19, 21-19. The Indian pair, currently among the world’s best, will now face Malaysia’s Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi in the next round. Their win keeps India’s medal hopes alive in the tournament.
On the other hand, HS Prannoy was knocked out after losing a closely contested match to World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen. Despite a strong effort, Prannoy couldn’t keep up in the deciding set and exited the tournament.
Overall, Hooda’s win has brought new energy and excitement to Indian fans. Her victory over a seasoned player like Sindhu shows the depth of talent rising through the ranks in Indian badminton. With more key matches coming up, all eyes will be on how Hooda handles the next challenge in her young but promising career.
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