The Yonex Canada Open 2025 kicked off with a blend of promise, upsets, and concerns for the Indian contingent.
As the Super 300 tournament unfolds, India’s campaign has seen rising stars deliver clutch performances, seasoned campaigners scrape through, and top-seeded pairs fall short of expectations.
Shreyanshi Valishetty Stuns World No. 37
Arguably the biggest highlight of the day came in the form of 20-year-old Shreyanshi Valishetty, who pulled off a commendable upset over Ukraine’s Polina Buhrova, the 7th seed and World No. 37. In a rematch of last week’s US Open encounter, where Buhrova had prevailed, Shreyanshi showed remarkable composure and tactical maturity to edge past her opponent 21-18, 22-20.
The match wasn’t without its moments of tension. In the second game, Shreyanshi was leading 17-13 before Buhrova unleashed a six-point streak to go 19-17 up. But the Indian regrouped quickly, stayed focused under pressure, and closed the game and match with calm control. With this win, Shreyanshi not only reversed her previous result but also booked her spot in the Round of 16, where she is set to face Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshana.
Her performance signals a bright future and serves as a reminder of the depth India is slowly building in the women’s singles category beyond the established names.
Srikanth Battles Past Rajawat in All-Indian Clash
Veteran Kidambi Srikanth is also through to the Round of 16, having fought off a spirited challenge from Priyanshu Rajawat in a gritty three-game affair: 18-21, 21-19, 21-14. The match, while intense on paper, was marred by erratic shot selection and an unusually high number of unforced errors from both players. Observers noted the lack of fluid rallies, frequent judgment errors, and inconsistent footwork throughout the encounter.
Nevertheless, Srikanth’s experience saw him through. He held his nerve when it mattered most, especially after trailing midway through the second game. While the level of play might not have inspired much confidence, the win gives Srikanth valuable court time and ranking points as he looks to rebuild consistency in a crucial phase of his career.
Sankar Subramanian Upsets Ayush Shetty
In what was one of the major surprises of the opening round, Sankar Subramanian toppled the in-form and 5th-seeded Ayush Shetty in straight games, 23-21, 21-12. The result is all the more remarkable given Shetty’s recent triumph at the US Open just days ago.
The first game saw Ayush make a brief recovery from a 13-17 deficit to lead 20-19, but Sankar held his nerve to clinch it 23-21. From there, fatigue appeared to catch up with Shetty, as Sankar capitalized with sharp net play and precise court coverage to dominate the second game. The 2022 Junior World Championships silver medallist has now laid down a strong marker and will be keen to ride this momentum deep into the draw.
For Ayush, the back-to-back early exits in S300 events raise questions about his scheduling and recovery. While his talent is undisputed, managing the physical and mental toll of successive tournaments will be vital as he transitions into the elite bracket of senior-level badminton.
Disappointment for Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto
In mixed doubles, the top-seeded Indian pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto suffered a second straight first-round exit, going down to Spain’s Ruben Garcia and Lucia Rodriguez 15-21, 19-21. Coming off a title-winning run at the Austrian Open, the expectations were high for the pair, especially after defeating a formidable Indonesian team in that final.
However, in both their recent defeats here and at the US Open the pair looked off-rhythm. There was a lack of coordination, limited communication on court, and visible frustration, especially from Dhruv. Observers have pointed out the absence of mutual encouragement and a decline in tactical cohesion raising questions about whether the pair needs a break, a rethink, or perhaps coaching intervention to realign their approach.
With the Olympic cycle gaining steam, the mixed doubles combination once tipped to be India’s best chance in the category needs a reset before slipping further down the pecking order.
Tanya Hemanth Narrowly Misses Upset
Elsewhere, Tanya Hemanth came agonizingly close to pulling off a notable upset against Sung Shuo Yun in a match that lasted 75 minutes. Tanya took the first game 21-15, pushed the second to 22-24, and eventually went down 18-21 in the decider.
Despite the loss, the match was a significant improvement in quality compared to some of the other ties involving Indian shuttlers. Tanya showcased excellent rally-building and defensive resilience, falling short only due to minor lapses at the business end of games. If she can build on this performance, deeper runs in upcoming events seem a real possibility.
With Shreyanshi Valishetty and Kidambi Srikanth still in the fray, India will hope for better fortunes in the later rounds. The form of Sankar Subramanian also adds an element of excitement in men’s singles, especially as he takes on higher-ranked opponents next.
However, the early exits of Ayush Shetty and the Dhruv-Tanisha pair underline the need for strategic planning and perhaps a deeper conversation about partnerships and match readiness.
As the Canada Open unfolds, Indian badminton finds itself in a familiar position buoyed by promise but grounded by inconsistency. The coming days will determine whether this campaign becomes one of breakthrough or missed opportunity.
