Rujula Ramu capped off an impressive week in Tallinn by winning the women’s singles title at the Estonian International, underlining her growing stature on the international circuit.
The Indian shuttler produced a series of controlled, assured performances through the draw, culminating in a straight-games victory in the final and marking an important milestone in her senior career. In the title clash, Rujula was at her clinical best as she defeated Denmark’s Frederikke Ø 21-15, 21-13. The scoreline reflected the composure with which Rujula approached the contest, maintaining control from the opening rallies and rarely allowing her opponent to dictate play. She used her court coverage effectively, mixed her lengths well, and showed maturity in closing out both games without unnecessary risks.
The final, however, was only the last chapter of a demanding campaign that tested Rujula’s adaptability across styles and situations. Her toughest challenge arguably came a round earlier, in the semifinals, where she faced Yuan Chi Liao. After dropping the opening game 17-21, Rujula regrouped impressively to take the next two games 21-18, 21-18. That comeback highlighted a key feature of her week in Estonia: her ability to make in-match adjustments and stay patient under pressure.
Earlier in the tournament, Rujula had shown similar control against Thailand’s Passa-Orn Phanna in the quarterfinals, winning 21-19, 21-10. While the first game was closely contested, Rujula raised her intensity in the second, tightening her defense and capitalizing on short returns to pull away decisively. The match demonstrated her growing confidence in accelerating when she senses an opening.
Her round-of-16 encounter against Denmark’s Anna Siess Ryberg also tested her resilience. After losing the first game 19-21, Rujula responded with a composed 21-12, 21-16 turnaround. The shift in momentum was driven by improved shot selection and a willingness to extend rallies, forcing errors from her opponent rather than going for outright winners too early.
Rujula’s campaign began in the qualifying rounds, where she showed no signs of nerves despite the added pressure of needing to earn her place in the main draw. In qualifying round one, she overcame Raiia Almalalha 21-10, 21-12 with authority, setting the tone for the week. She followed that up with another commanding performance against Jasmine Yeung in qualifying round two, winning 21-9, 21-13 to book her spot in the round of 32.
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Once in the main draw, Rujula wasted little time asserting herself. She swept past Leona Lee 21-9, 21-13 in the round of 32, displaying sharp movement and a clear tactical plan. That match, like several others in the tournament, showcased her ability to dominate from the front court while remaining solid in defense.
Beyond the results, the Estonian International title stands out as a confidence-building achievement for Rujula at this stage of her development. Competing in Europe often presents Indian shuttlers with varied playing conditions and opponents who rely heavily on discipline and rally construction. Rujula’s success this week suggests she is becoming increasingly comfortable handling those challenges.
For Indian badminton, performances like these are significant in the broader context of depth building in women’s singles. While the spotlight often falls on established names at the top level, tournaments such as the Estonian International play a crucial role in shaping the next tier of players capable of transitioning consistently into higher-level events.
Rujula’s run in Tallinn was marked not just by wins, but by the manner in which she secured them recovering from setbacks, maintaining composure in tight moments, and closing out matches efficiently. As she continues her season, this title will serve as both validation of her progress and a platform to push for stronger results in upcoming international assignments.
The Estonian International crown is a reminder that Indian badminton’s pipeline continues to produce players ready to make their mark, and Rujula Ramu’s composed, methodical triumph in Estonia is a promising sign of what may lie ahead.
