Indian women’s badminton enjoyed a memorable day at the Thailand Masters 2026 as Devika Sihag and Isharani Baruah delivered two high-quality performances to storm into the quarterfinals, knocking out higher-ranked and seeded opponents in the process.
In a tournament that has already seen several Indian players test the best on the BWF World Tour, these twin victories underlined the depth and confidence growing within India’s women’s singles contingent.
For Devika Sihag, ranked world No. 63, it was a statement performance against the eighth seed Tung Ciou Tong of Chinese Taipei (WR 42). The 21-year-old Indian played with a maturity beyond her years, sealing a convincing 21-14, 21-14 win that never allowed her opponent to dictate the pace of the match.
From the opening rally, Sihag looked settled and in control. She was sharp off the court, quick to pounce on any short lift, and equally comfortable when forced into long exchanges. Tung, a technically strong and tactically sound player, tried to move Sihag around the court with her trademark flat rallies and quick changes of direction, but the Indian responded with excellent footwork and calm shot selection.
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The first game saw Sihag pull away after a close opening phase. At around the mid-game interval, she began finding Tung’s backhand corner repeatedly, drawing short replies that she punished with well-timed smashes and tight net pushes. Her defence was equally impressive, absorbing pressure and turning defence into attack with sharp counter-drives. The 21-14 scoreline reflected how effectively she controlled the momentum.
The second game followed a similar pattern. Tung attempted to increase the tempo and play more aggressively, but Sihag never looked rushed. Instead, she used her length and placement to open up the court, forcing errors from her higher-ranked opponent. With a series of deep clears and cleverly disguised drops, Sihag kept Tung guessing and steadily built another lead before closing out the match in just over half an hour.
It was the kind of composed, professional performance that suggests Sihag is ready to push well beyond her current ranking. Beating a seeded player in straight games at a Super 300 event is not just about skill, but also about belief and on this evidence, Devika Sihag is playing with plenty of both.
If Sihag’s win was about control, Isharani Baruah’s victory was about grit, resilience and competitive fire. The world No. 48 produced one of the biggest upsets of the day by knocking out second seed Sung Shuo Yun of Chinese Taipei (WR 34) in a gripping three-game battle that lasted over an hour.
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Baruah began the match with fearless intent, racing through the opening game 21-13. She was superb in defence, repeatedly retrieving Sung’s smashes and turning them into sharp counter-attacks. Her ability to soak up pressure and then strike with precision frustrated the Taiwanese player, who struggled to find winners against Isharani’s compact and disciplined game.
Sung, as expected from a top-seeded player, fought back strongly in the second game. She raised the intensity, played flatter and quicker, and took more risks to wrest control of the rallies. Isharani was pushed deeper into her court and eventually conceded the game 14-21 as Sung levelled the contest.
The decider, however, belonged to the Indian. Isharani reset quickly, returning to her strengths tight net control, patient rally construction and intelligent shot placement. She refused to be drawn into reckless exchanges, instead waiting for the right moment to attack. Slowly but surely, she began to edge ahead, and once she established a lead, she did not let it slip. The 21-14 final game was a reward for her discipline and composure under pressure.
This was not just a win over a higher-ranked opponent; it was a performance that showcased Isharani’s growing maturity on the BWF World Tour. Her ability to manage momentum swings, especially after losing the second game, will give her immense confidence as she moves deeper into the draw.
With her quarterfinal berth secured, Isharani will now face Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching (WR 43). Given her current form and the momentum from this upset, she will believe she has every chance of pushing for a semifinal spot.
Together, these two wins represent a significant moment for Indian women’s badminton at the Thailand Masters 2026. Devika Sihag and Isharani Baruah, both still early in their senior careers, have shown that they can not only compete with, but defeat, established players on the international circuit. For India, it is another encouraging sign that the next generation is ready to step up and take responsibility on the world stage.
