Indian badminton witnessed the arrival of a new force as 20-year-old Devika Sihag produced a flawless campaign to lift her maiden BWF World Tour Super 300 title at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters.
In a week that will be remembered as a defining chapter in her young career, the Haryana shuttler did not drop a single game en route to the title, underlining the authority with which she conquered a strong international field.
Devika sealed the championship with a commanding performance in the final against Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei, one of the most decorated junior players of her generation and a former Youth Olympic gold medallist. From the opening rally, Devika was in total control, dictating play with her crisp attacking game, solid defence and growing confidence on the big stage. She raced through the first game 21–8, leaving Goh searching for answers. In the second game, Devika continued to apply pressure and had built a 6–3 lead when the Malaysian was forced to retire, handing the Indian youngster a well-deserved victory.
With this triumph, Devika became only the third Indian woman to win a Super 300 women’s singles title, joining the elite company of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. It was not just the title that made this run special, but the manner in which it was achieved — with poise, composure and a level of consistency that suggested she is ready to take the next step on the BWF World Tour.
A run built on belief
Devika’s path to the title was anything but easy. The Thailand Masters draw featured several established names, and the young Indian had to earn every bit of her success. Her breakthrough moment came in the quarterfinals, when she produced the biggest upset of her career by knocking out top seed and home favourite Supanida Katethong of Thailand, then ranked World No.16.
Playing with fearless intent, Devika took the game to Supanida, mixing sharp net play with powerful attacks from the backcourt. She closed out the contest 21–19, 21–18, marking her first win over a top-20 opponent on the BWF circuit. The victory not only sent her into her maiden Super 300 semifinal, but also served as a statement that she was no longer content with just competing she was ready to challenge the best.
A comeback that defined her week
If the quarterfinal showed Devika’s attacking prowess, the semifinal against Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yu-Hsun revealed her mental strength. The Indian had been cruising through the tournament without dropping a game, but Huang pushed her harder than anyone else.
Devika started the opening game brightly, only for Huang to claw her way back and surge ahead to 20–15, holding five game points. It was a moment that could have broken a less experienced player, but Devika refused to panic. She reeled off point after point, showing remarkable composure under pressure to save all five game points and level the score at 20-all. With momentum now firmly in her favour, she closed out the game 22–20.
That dramatic escape seemed to free her up in the second game. Playing with renewed confidence, Devika controlled the rallies and moved her opponent around the court before sealing a 21–13 win. In just 38 minutes, she had booked her place in her first Super 300 final and she had done it without dropping a single game all week.
A final that showcased her authority
By the time Devika walked onto court for the final against Goh Jin Wei, she looked like a player who belonged on that stage. The Malaysian, a two-time junior world champion, came in with pedigree and experience, but Devika never allowed her to settle. From the first rally, the Indian dictated the tempo, stepping in to take the shuttle early and forcing Goh onto the defensive. Her movement was sharp, her shot selection confident, and her belief unmistakable. The opening game was over in a flash at 21–8, a scoreline that reflected Devika’s dominance.
Although the final ended prematurely due to Goh’s retirement early in the second game, there was little doubt about where the match was heading. Devika had been in complete control, and her title win was both deserved and emphatic.
A milestone moment for Indian badminton
Devika Sihag’s Thailand Masters triumph marks a significant milestone not only for her career, but also for Indian women’s badminton. In a country that has produced icons like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, Devika’s emergence adds another promising name to a growing list of world-class talents.
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At just 20, she has already shown that she can handle pressure, outthink higher-ranked opponents and perform consistently over a demanding week of top-level competition. Her Super 300 crown in Bangkok is more than just a trophy it is a sign that Indian badminton’s next generation is ready to make its mark on the global stage.
