The prestigious Yonex All England Open 2025 got off to an electrifying start, with Indian shuttlers delivering some memorable performances.
The biggest headline of the day was Malvika Bansod’s stunning upset victory over World No. 12 Yeo Jia Min, while Lakshya Sen overcame a tough challenge to book his place in the Round of 16. However, it was a mixed day for the Indian contingent, with some heartbreaking losses as well.
Malvika Bansod Upsets Yeo Jia Min in a Thriller
In one of the biggest wins of her career, Malvika Bansod defeated Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min 21-13, 10-21, 21-17 in a high-intensity first-round clash. This victory is a testament to Malvika’s growing prowess on the international stage, as she took down a top-15 opponent in a marquee event like the All England Open.
Malvika started the match with great confidence, taking the opening game 21-13 with a solid mix of precise net play and aggressive shot-making. However, the second game saw Yeo Jia Min bounce back strongly, overwhelming Malvika with her speed and control to take it 21-10. The decider was a test of mental strength, and Malvika showed remarkable composure under pressure, closing out the match 21-17.
Malvika’s Impressive Record Against SEA Players in S1000 Events
This win marks Malvika’s third first-round victory in a Super 1000 tournament, all against Southeast Asian opponents:
✅ China Open 2024: Defeated Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (26-24, 21-19)
✅ Malaysia Open 2025: Defeated Goh Jin Wei (21-15, 21-16)
✅ All England Open 2025: Defeated Yeo Jia Min (21-13, 10-21, 21-17)
Up next, Malvika faces a massive challenge in the Round of 16 against Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, the two-time World Champion. Can she continue her dream run?
Lakshya Sen Fights Back to Win Against Su Li Yang
Indian star Lakshya Sen kept his perfect All England R32 record intact, securing a hard-fought 13-21, 21-17, 21-15 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Su Li Yang. This marks his sixth consecutive year reaching the second round at the All England Open (2020-2025).
Lakshya had a slow start, losing the first game 13-21 and trailing 7-11 at the mid-game interval in the second. However, he showcased his trademark resilience, staging a brilliant comeback to win the next two games. His ability to turn around tough situations has been a defining trait in recent years.
Next up, Lakshya will face the defending champion, Jonathan Christie of Indonesia, in the Round of 16. The clash promises to be a thrilling contest, as Lakshya looks to avenge past defeats against the in-form Indonesian.
Mixed Results for Indian Doubles Pairs
Ashwini Ponnappa & Tanisha Crasto Bow Out in R32
The Indian women’s doubles duo of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto fought hard but fell short in their opening-round match, losing 20-22, 18-22 to the experienced Taiwanese pair of Hsieh and Hung. Despite a close contest, the Indian pair couldn’t capitalize on key moments.
Tanisha will now shift her focus to the Mixed Doubles event, where she partners Dhruv Kapila.
Sathish & Aadya Struggle Against WR7 Pair
The mixed doubles pair of Sathish and Aadya had a tough outing against the World No. 7 duo, Guo Xin Wa & Chen Fang Hui, going down 6-21, 15-21. While it was a learning experience, the young Indian duo will take valuable lessons from this match as they continue their journey on the international circuit.
Prannoy H. S. Falls to Toma Junior Popov
It wasn’t the best day for World No. 9 H. S. Prannoy, as he suffered a 19-21, 16-21 loss to France’s Toma Junior Popov in the men’s singles first round. The match was expected to be a tricky one, and Popov played with great control to edge out Prannoy in straight games.
Prannoy will be disappointed with this early exit, but knowing his fighting spirit, he will bounce back stronger in the upcoming tournaments.
What’s Next for India at the All England Open?
With Malvika Bansod and Lakshya Sen advancing to the Round of 16, Indian fans have plenty to look forward to. Here’s what’s coming up:
✅ Malvika Bansod vs Akane Yamaguchi (R16, Women’s Singles)
✅ Lakshya Sen vs Jonathan Christie (R16, Men’s Singles)
India has a rich history at the All England Open, and with some exciting matches ahead, all eyes will be on Malvika and Lakshya to see if they can continue their remarkable runs.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Yonex All England Open 2025!
