It was a landmark day for Indian badminton at the Yonex Canada Open Super 300 as three singles players Shriyanshi Valishetty, Kidambi Srikanth, and Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian advanced to the quarterfinals, keeping India’s campaign alive and thriving in Calgary.
While former World No.1 Srikanth and junior World Championship silver medallist Sankar showcased their experience and composure, the standout headline belonged to 18-year-old Shriyanshi Valishetty, who added her name to the record books by becoming the 10th Indian women’s singles player to reach multiple BWF World Tour quarterfinals.
Shriyanshi Joins Elite Company
With a straight-games victory over Karupathevan Letshanaa of Malaysia, 21-15, 21-14, Shriyanshi sealed her second career BWF World Tour quarterfinal, having previously made the last eight at the Syed Modi International 2024.
In doing so, she joins an elite list of Indian women’s singles shuttlers with multiple World Tour quarterfinals, including:
- PV Sindhu
- Saina Nehwal
- Malvika Bansod
- Aakarshi Kashyap
- Ashmita Chaliha
- Unnati Hooda
- Rakshita Ramraj
- Rituparna Das
- Tasnim Mir
Now firmly part of this group, Shriyanshi’s run is proof of the emerging depth in Indian women’s singles.
The 18-year-old showed great tactical maturity and court awareness against Letshanaa, dictating rallies and drawing errors from the Malaysian with her deceptive strokes and sharp movement. The straight-games win reflected her growing confidence on the international circuit.
In the quarterfinal, she will face the winner of the match between third seed Sung Shuo Yun of Chinese Taipei and Amalie Schulz of Denmark — a challenging encounter but a golden opportunity for the rising star.
Kidambi Srikanth Rises to the Occasion
Veteran Kidambi Srikanth, looking to rediscover his best form, produced a spirited performance against Taiwan’s Wang Po-Wei in the men’s singles Round of 16. Srikanth, who had been struggling with consistency in recent months, displayed flashes of his trademark control and aggression en route to a 21-19, 21-14 win.
Trailing 13-18 in the opening game, Srikanth mounted a determined comeback, winning eight of the next nine points with a mix of sharp net play and flat drives that left his opponent unsettled. The second game saw Srikanth raise his intensity further, showing glimpses of the confident shotmaker who once topped the world rankings.
This win takes Srikanth into quarterfinal, where he is likely to face top seed Chou Tien Chen, his longtime rival from Chinese Taipei. Their battles over the years have produced some memorable duels, and another chapter may unfold in Calgary.
For Srikanth, who remains in the race to qualify for major events including the World Championships, this run could prove crucial in restoring belief and momentum.
Sankar Muthusamy Powers Into Quarters
Adding to the day’s success was Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian, who defeated Huang Yu Kai of Chinese Taipei 21-19, 21-14 in a composed and confident display. The 2022 Junior World Championship silver medallist has been steadily progressing on the senior circuit, and this win signals another step forward.
Sankar showcased his signature defensive resilience and rallied patiently before pouncing on openings. The first game was closely contested, but Sankar’s ability to remain calm under pressure saw him edge ahead at the critical junctures. In the second game, he established an early lead and maintained control throughout, closing out the match in under 45 minutes.
He now faces Kenta Nishimoto of Japan a seasoned campaigner and current top-20 player in the quarterfinal. While Nishimoto brings considerable experience, Sankar has been known to rise to the occasion against higher-ranked opponents.
A Day to Remember for Indian Badminton
With all three Indian Round of 16 matches resulting in victories, Thursday proved to be a statement of intent from India’s singles stars both established and upcoming. From Srikanth’s composed comeback, to Sankar’s steady march, and Shriyanshi’s history-making run, the Canada Open has given Indian badminton a fresh injection of optimism.
While Srikanth seeks redemption and Sankar continues his upward climb, the emergence of Shriyanshi Valishetty has added a new chapter to the future of Indian women’s badminton one that promises to shine even brighter in the years to come.
As the quarterfinals approach, Indian fans will hope that this momentum continues and that another Super 300 medal is within reach.
Follow @IndiaSportsHub for daily updates from Canada Open 2025.
