The Orleans Masters 2025 has already delivered some electrifying performances, unexpected upsets, and intense matchups.
Indian shuttlers have been at the center of the action, with standout victories from Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, and Ayush Shetty. Meanwhile, the mixed doubles pair of Rohan and Ruthvika secured a significant win, while some Indian pairs faced tough exits.
Let’s take a closer look at the key highlights of the tournament so far.
Srikanth Reverses The Result, Dominates Takahashi
Indian badminton fans had a lot to cheer for as Kidambi Srikanth delivered a clinical performance against Koo Takahashi. In a rematch of their previous encounter, Srikanth turned the tables, defeating the Japanese shuttler 21-19, 21-14.
Srikanth, known for his aggressive and attacking style, showcased his signature smashes and quick net play to control the rallies. His dominance in the second game ensured a comfortable victory, setting him up for an exciting Round of 16 (R16) clash against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia.
With Lee leading their head-to-head record 4-2, Srikanth will need to bring his A-game to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Fans can expect an absolute thriller as two of the most attacking players on the circuit go head-to-head.
HS Prannoy Fights Hard to Enter R16
HS Prannoy also secured a spot in the R16 after a hard-fought win against Wang Tzu Wei. The match stretched to three games, but Prannoy showed resilience and superior fitness to win 21-11, 20-22, 21-9.
Prannoy started strong with a dominant first game, but Wang fought back in the second. However, the Indian shuttler raised his level in the decider, closing out the match with a commanding performance.
Next up, Prannoy will face Lin Chun Yi (Taiwan) in R16. Lin holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage over Prannoy, making this clash even more exciting. Can Prannoy break his losing streak against Lin and advance further?
MAJOR UPSET: Ayush Shetty Shocks Loh Kean Yew!
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament came from Ayush Shetty, who stunned the 2021 World Champion, Loh Kean Yew, in straight games! The young Indian shuttler played fearlessly to win 21-17, 21-9 against the Singaporean star.
This is undoubtedly the biggest victory of Ayush’s career so far. His controlled aggression, precision, and composure throughout the match were commendable.
Ayush now moves on to the R16, where he will face Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan. With confidence riding high, can Ayush continue his dream run?
Mixed Doubles: Rohan & Ruthvika Score a Huge Upset
In another thrilling match, the Indian mixed doubles pair of Rohan and Ruthvika pulled off a spectacular upset against their Taiwanese opponents. They fought back after losing the first game, eventually winning 20-22, 24-22, 21-16.
This victory will be a huge morale booster for the young Indian duo. They now face Yang Po Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang in the R16, a challenge that will test their consistency.
Other Indian Results at Orleans Masters 2025
While there were many positives, some Indian shuttlers suffered early exits:
• Men’s Doubles: Ruban and Hariharan lost a tough three-game battle against Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap (21-17, 7-21, 17-21). Despite the loss, their improvement over the past few months is evident. They might benefit from playing more Super 100 tournaments to boost their confidence.
• Women’s Singles: Malvika Bansod had a tough outing against Japan’s Riko Gunji, losing 6-21, 6-21 in just 26 minutes.
• Mixed Doubles: Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh were outplayed by Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, losing 10-21, 15-21.
What’s Next?
As the tournament progresses, Indian shuttlers have crucial matches ahead:
• Kidambi Srikanth vs. Lee Zii Jia – A battle of attacking styles!
• HS Prannoy vs. Lin Chun Yi – Can Prannoy level the H2H record?
• Ayush Shetty vs. Jason Gunawan – Can Ayush keep his momentum?
• Rohan & Ruthvika vs. Yang Po Hsuan / Hu Ling Fang – Another chance to shine!
With such exciting matchups, Orleans Masters 2025 is shaping up to be a tournament full of surprises. Good luck to all the Indian players!
Stay tuned for more updates!
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