The YONEX French Open 2025 Super 750 began on a mixed note for India’s badminton contingent, but one name that stood out amid the early exits was Unnati Hooda.
India’s No. 2 women’s singles player made a spirited comeback to the BWF World Tour, registering a fighting three-game win in her opening round to enter the Round of 16, offering a glimpse of the promise that once made her one of India’s brightest young prospects.
Facing Malaysia’s Letshanaa Karupathevan ranked World No. 39 Unnati endured a shaky start before finding her rhythm to post a hard-earned 11-21, 21-13, 21-16 victory in 58 minutes. The opening game saw the Indian shuttler struggling with control and timing, often caught flat-footed against Letshanaa’s quick drives and deceptive cross drops. However, from the second game onward, Unnati recalibrated tightening her net play, increasing her pace, and showing far more composure in rallies.
The turnaround was particularly evident in her shot selection. After conceding the first game tamely, she began mixing up her drops with half-smashes, drawing the Malaysian out of position. By the decider, Unnati looked in full control, dictating the pace with sharper footwork and cleaner execution at the net. The win wasn’t flawless it was gritty, scrappy, and at times nervy but it was exactly the kind of performance she needed after a difficult stretch.
Rebuilding Confidence After World Junior Setback
For Unnati, this win carries significance beyond just a second-round appearance. Her recent campaign at the World Junior Championships (WJC) was a disappointment marked by early elimination and inconsistent form. The 18-year-old, once hailed as India’s next big thing in women’s singles, had struggled with rhythm and decision-making in recent months, particularly against players who could sustain longer rallies.
In that context, her victory in Paris is more than just a result it’s a psychological reset. Coming back from a game down, maintaining composure, and adapting tactically under pressure are hallmarks of growth at the senior level. The match demonstrated that she can weather difficult starts and still finish strong, a quality India desperately needs in its women’s singles pool.
With the Round of 16 berth, Unnati now finds herself as India’s only surviving singles player in the French Open draw—a significant milestone, considering the depth and competitiveness of this Super 750 event.
While Unnati’s win lifted spirits, it was otherwise a forgettable opening round for India.
In the men’s singles, Ayush Shetty came agonizingly close to upsetting Japan’s Koki Watanabe, but fell short 19-21, 19-21 after a tightly contested match that could have swung either way. The 19-year-old displayed moments of brilliance especially in his counter-attacking play but unforced errors in key points cost him dearly.
Elsewhere, Lakshya Sen endured a disappointing straight-games loss to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen, going down 7-21, 16-21 in 43 minutes. It was a surprising result given Sen’s past dominance over Nguyen, but the Indian appeared out of rhythm and repeatedly struggled with depth control. His loss adds to a string of early exits this season, signaling the need for recalibration ahead of the year-end tour events.
On the women’s side, Anupama Upadhyaya found herself overpowered by World No. 6 Han Yue of China, losing 15-21, 11-21 in just 34 minutes. Anupama displayed good intent early on but couldn’t sustain the physical tempo required against a top-tier opponent.
Anmol’s Brave Test Against World No. 1
India’s rising youngster Anmol Kharb also faced a stern challenge against World No. 1 An Se Young. Despite the predictable outcome, Anmol showed flashes of intent, trying to play proactive badminton with smart angles and deceptive wrist work. However, her footwork and serve variation remain areas of concern. Against an opponent as consistent and clinical as An Se Young, every half-second delay or misplaced shot is punished ruthlessly.
The 17-year-old has the right instincts but must now focus on improving court movement, recovery speed, and shot precision. The technical foundation is evident, but to break into the higher echelons of women’s singles, she’ll need to elevate both physical intensity and tactical clarity.
The results from Paris once again highlight the transition phase Indian badminton is navigating in singles. With PV Sindhu managing limited appearances and Saina Nehwal no longer on the circuit, the new generation led by Unnati, Anupama, and Anmol on the women’s side, and Lakshya, Ayush, and Priyanshu Rajawat among men is still learning to bridge the gap between promise and performance. Unnati’s win, therefore, stands out not merely as a solitary success, but as a glimpse into what the future could hold if nurtured correctly. Her ability to adapt mid-match, recover from setbacks, and hold her nerve under pressure is precisely the evolution Indian women’s singles needs.
Unnati now faces a far sterner test in the Round of 16, likely against a seeded opponent. Whether she advances further or not, this win provides the momentum she has been seeking for months. More importantly, it restores a measure of confidence in her game a reminder that she belongs at this level. For the rest of the Indian contingent, the French Open serves as another wake-up call. Consistency, physical endurance, and tactical evolution remain the key to turning close matches into victories.
As the season progresses toward the Asian leg, Indian badminton’s young guns must translate these flashes of potential into sustained results. And for now, in Paris, Unnati Hooda’s comeback win is the silver lining India needed a moment of grit, belief, and quiet resurgence amid a challenging week on the World Tour.
