Indian badminton continues to make waves on the international stage, with young stars delivering standout performances at the Yonex German Open 2025 (Super 300).
Teen prodigies Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, Unnati Hooda, and Tharun Mannepalli stormed into the quarterfinals, reinforcing India’s depth in badminton’s next generation.
Meanwhile, Tasnim Mir, Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto, and other emerging talents also impressed.
Rakshitha Sree Ramraj : A Future Star in the Making
Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj continued her impressive run by defeating Hong Kong’s Lo Sin Yan Happy 21-17, 21-11 in the Round of 16, securing her third Super 300 quarterfinal before turning 18.
This achievement places her in elite company, following in the footsteps of South Korea’s An Se Young (who reached five Super 300 QFs before 18) and Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki (three times).
Her journey so far:
Hylo Open 2024 QF
Thailand Masters 2025 QF
German Open 2025 QF
Rakshitha’s rapid rise signals a promising future for Indian womens singles. With players like Unnati Hooda, Anmol Kharb, and Ashmita Chaliha also making strides, India’s next generation could well produce another Saina Nehwal or PV Sindhu in the coming years.
Quarterfinal Battle Awaits
Rakshitha now faces a tough test against Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt, a seasoned campaigner on the BWF circuit. A win here would further cement her reputation as India’s next big singles star.
Unnati Hooda Keeps Her Momentum Going
17-year-old Unnati Hooda also booked her place in the quarterfinals after a confident victory over Japan’s Asuka Takahashi 21-13, 21-19. Ranked 64th in the world, Unnati showcased her tactical maturity and composure, controlling the rallies with sharp net play and attacking smashes.
Next Challenge in Riko Gunji (Japan)
Her quarterfinal opponent will be Riko Gunji, another tough competitor from Japan. Unnati has been steadily climbing the rankings, and a strong run here could push her closer to the top 50.
Tasnim Mir Avenges Previous Loss, Advances to QF
Another rising Indian talent, Tasnim Mir, reversed the result of her previous encounter with Tung Ciou Tong (Taiwan), defeating her 21-17, 21-15 to enter the quarterfinals. She now faces Thuy Linh Nguyen (Vietnam) in the next round.
Tharun Mannepalli : The Giant Slayer
The biggest surprise of the tournament so far has been Tharun Mannepalli, who produced a stunning upset by eliminating 8th seed Brian Yang (Canada) in a thrilling 21-14, 15-21, 21-17 battle.
From Qualifier to Quarterfinalist
Tharun, who entered the tournament as a qualifier, has shown immense grit and determination. His attacking gameplay and never-say-die attitude have made him one of the most exciting players to watch at the German Open.
Next Up Toma Junior Popov (France)
Can Tharun continue his fairytale run? His quarterfinal against Toma Junior Popov will be a stern test, but his current form suggests another upset could be on the cards.
Mixed Doubles Dhruv/Tanisha Keep India’s Hopes Alive
India’s top mixed doubles pair, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, delivered a solid performance, defeating Germany’s Jones Ralfy Jansen/Thuc Phuong Nguyen 21-10, 21-19 to book a quarterfinal spot.
Next, they will face the Chinese duo of Gao Jia Xuan and Wu Meng Ying, in what promises to be a high-intensity contest.
Other Results : Tough Losses for Priyanshu, Aakarshi & Kiran
While India celebrated several victories, there were also some setbacks:
Priyanshu Rajawat missed a golden opportunity to upset Toma Junior Popov (France). After winning the first game and leading in the second, he lost momentum and fell 16-21, 21-18, 21-4.
Aakarshi Kashyap suffered a 14-21, 17-21 defeat to Thuy Linh Nguyen (Vietnam).
Kiran George lost to China’s Wang Zheng Xing, 18-21, 13-21.
Conclusion India’s Bright Future in Badminton
The Yonex German Open 2025 has been a fantastic showcase of India’s emerging badminton talent. With Rakshitha Sree, Unnati Hooda, Tharun Mannepalli, Tasnim Mir, and Dhruv/Tanisha making deep runs, Indian badminton’s future looks brighter than ever.
As these youngsters continue to gain experience and refine their skills, its only a matter of time before one of them breaks through to the top level, just like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu did in the past.
Stay tuned for the quarterfinal battles can these rising stars go even further?
