In an electrifying encounter at the German Open Super 300, India’s rising badminton star Unnati Hooda gave it her all but fell agonisingly short in the quarterfinals against former Junior World Champion Riko Gunji of Japan. The marathon match ended 15-21, 23-25, 22-24 in favor of Gunji, who displayed remarkable composure under pressure.
Despite the loss, Unnati’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. The 17-year-old fought till the very last point, pushing her higher-ranked opponent to the limit in a gruelling three-game thriller. She even held five match points but couldn’t convert them as Gunji staged a heroic comeback.
A Battle of Resilience and Grit
The match began with Unnati taking control early, using her sharp smashes and aggressive net play to claim the first game 21-15. Gunji struggled to find her rhythm against the young Indians attacking game.
The second game, however, turned into a test of mental and physical endurance. Unnati trailed 1-7 but displayed incredible fighting spirit to turn the tables and take a 20-19 lead, earning her first match point. But Gunji refused to back down. The Japanese shuttler saved two match points and eventually edged the game 25-23, forcing a decider.
The third game was a nail-biter, with Unnati yet again holding the advantage at crucial moments. She had three more match points, but Gunji’s experience and nerves of steel helped her escape with a 24-22 win, sealing the victory in an unforgettable battle.
Tough Loss, But a Bright Future Ahead
Unnati Hooda’s quarterfinal finish at the German Open is a testament to her immense potential. At just 17 years old, she has already shown the ability to challenge top-ranked players. While this loss is heartbreaking, her fighting spirit and skill level prove that she is on the right path to becoming a world-class player.
This tournament will serve as a learning experience, helping her develop the mental toughness required to close out tight matches. With continued training and exposure at the Super 100 and Super 300 events, she can soon start to regularly competing in higher-tier tournaments like the Super 500 and Super 750.
Other Indian Performances at the German Open
Rakshitha Ramraj Falls to Mia Blichfeldt in QF
India’s Rakshitha Ramraj had a tough challenge in the quarterfinals against World No. 23 and 4th seed Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark. She fought hard but ultimately lost 12-21, 12-21, exiting the tournament after an impressive run.
Tharun Mannepalli’s Impressive Run Ends in QF
Qualifier Tharun Mannepalli had a remarkable week, making it from the qualification rounds all the way to the quarterfinals. He put up a strong fight against France’s Toma Junior Popov but fell short in three games, 21-16, 17-21, 8-21. This performance should give Tharun the confidence to consistently compete in Super 100 and Super 300 tournaments.
Dhruv/Tanisha Storm into Semifinals
India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto continued their excellent form in mixed doubles, securing a straight-game win (21-14, 21-17) against China’s Gao/Wu to reach the semifinals. This victory will propel them to World No. 25 in the rankings. They will now face the Indonesian duo of Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja and Rehan Kusharjanto for a spot in the final.
Final Thoughts
While Unnati Hooda’s journey ended in heartbreak, she won the hearts of badminton fans with her fearless performance. Losing such a close match against a former Junior World Champion shows that she is ready to compete at the highest level. With more experience and exposure, she will soon convert these close matches into big wins.
India’s badminton contingent had a solid campaign at the German Open, with multiple quarterfinal appearances and a semifinal berth in mixed doubles. As the tournament heads into its final stages, all eyes will be on Dhruv and Tanisha to see if they can go all the way.
Despite the ups and downs, this tournament has proven that India’s young badminton stars are making steady progress on the international stage. The future looks bright for Indian badminton!
