In a sensational run that has captured the attention of Indian badminton fans, Tanvi Sharma has booked her place in the final of the US Open 2025 (BWF Super 300) with a clinical straight-game victory over World No. 40 Polina Buhrova of Ukraine.
With a 21-14, 21-16 win, the 16-year-old has not only marched into her maiden Super 300 final but also etched her name into the record books as the youngest women’s singles player ever to reach a Super 300 final.
At just 16 years and 5 months, Tanvi becomes the youngest Indian to reach the final of a BWF World Tour event outside India and only the fourth Indian women’s singles player after Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu, and Malvika Bansod to feature in the title clash of a Super 300 or higher-level tournament.
Rising Through the Ranks
Tanvi’s dream run at the US Open has been nothing short of remarkable. The teenager entered the tournament unseeded and relatively under the radar but quickly made her presence felt with dominating performances from the very first round. Her composure, shot selection, and tactical awareness belied her age as she knocked out higher-ranked opponents in one match after another all without dropping a single game.
Against Buhrova in the semifinals, Tanvi maintained complete control for most parts of the match. Although the Ukrainian attempted to mount a fightback in the second game, narrowing the deficit at key intervals, the Indian youngster held firm. Her ability to absorb pressure and close out tight points was particularly impressive.
Landmark Moment for Indian Badminton
Tanvi’s run comes at a crucial time for Indian badminton. With senior players struggling to convert opportunities into titles in 2025, her emergence provides a welcome boost. She becomes only the second Indian this year to reach a World Tour final, following Kidambi Srikanth, who made the final earlier this year.
To put this into perspective:
- Srikanth is 32 years old.
- Tanvi is just 16.
The age gap between the two finalists from India on the BWF World Tour this year underscores the generational shift that might be underway in Indian badminton. Tanvi’s performance is not just a personal milestone but a signal that the future is here.
Record Breaker
Her semifinal win has also propelled her into the top 50 of the BWF World Rankings for the first time, a major milestone for any player let alone one still in their teens. In doing so, she becomes one of the youngest Indian shuttlers to ever break into the top-50 in singles, and certainly the youngest to do so in recent memory.
Since the launch of the World Tour structure in 2018, no Indian women’s singles player has reached a final at this young an age. This milestone adds another feather to Tanvi’s cap, placing her among the most exciting prospects in world badminton today.
Calm in the Eye of the Storm
What has stood out the most about Tanvi Sharma’s performance in the US Open is her temperament. Whether she was facing experienced campaigners or fellow rising stars, she looked assured, composed, and entirely unbothered by the occasion. Her on-court maturity, coupled with a fearless approach, has made her a tough opponent throughout the tournament.
Her control at the net, improved court coverage, and ability to convert pressure points into winners have all been hallmarks of this breakthrough tournament.
The Road Ahead
Tanvi now faces the ultimate test: a final showdown against the home favourite, which will come with its own pressures—crowd support for the opponent, higher expectations, and the weight of history. But if her performances so far are anything to go by, she appears more than ready for the challenge.
Should she go on to win, she would not only become the youngest ever Super 300 champion in women’s singles but also deliver India’s first World Tour title of the year, ending the drought that even seasoned players like Srikanth and Lakshya have been unable to break.
A Star in the Making
From being a promising junior to now being on the cusp of a major international title, Tanvi Sharma’s meteoric rise in 2025 is perhaps the most heartening development in Indian badminton this year. Her success at the US Open could open doors to greater opportunities both in terms of exposure on the BWF circuit and as a potential long-term flagbearer for Indian women’s singles.
While the final hurdle remains, what Tanvi has already achieved will be remembered as a breakout moment—not just for her, but for Indian badminton’s new generation.
Final Score (Semifinal):
Tanvi Sharma 🇮🇳 def. Polina Buhrova 🇺🇦 — 21-14, 21-16
Achievements so far at #USOpen2025:
- Youngest ever finalist at a Super 300 event (16 years, 5 months)
- 4th Indian WS to reach a S300+ final
- 2nd Indian finalist on the BWF World Tour in 2025
- Broke into the Top 50 of the BWF rankings
All eyes now on tomorrow. Can Tanvi Sharma deliver the finishing blow and script history?
