Indian badminton’s rising generation announced itself in emphatic fashion on Friday as 20-year-old Devika Sihag produced the biggest victory of her young career, knocking out top seed and world No.16 Supanida Katethong in straight games to storm into the semi-finals of the Thailand Masters Super 300.
Ranked 63 in the world, Sihag defeated the home favourite 21-19, 21-18 in a contest that combined nerve, speed and tactical clarity, underlining the growing depth of India’s women’s singles pipeline.
For Indian badminton, the result carried weight far beyond the scoreline. Supanida, a former world No.6 and one of Thailand’s most consistent performers on the BWF World Tour, was not just the tournament’s top seed but also a player known for thriving in front of home crowds. Yet on a court filled with Thai supporters, it was the teenager from India who looked calmer, sharper and more assured when the match entered its decisive moments.
From the opening rallies, Sihag made it clear she was not intimidated by either the opponent or the occasion. Her movement was crisp, her intent positive, and her shot selection precise. Instead of getting drawn into long, grinding rallies against Supanida’s consistency, Sihag took the initiative whenever the chance presented itself, stepping in to attack short returns and using sharp net blocks to keep the Thai player off balance.
The first game was a tight affair, with neither player able to pull away early. Supanida relied on her experience, trying to stretch rallies and force errors, but Sihag repeatedly found ways to seize control. Her ability to pounce on loose lifts and convert half-chances into points kept her in front through most of the game. When the score moved to 19-all, it was the Indian who showed greater composure, winning the final two points with a combination of patient defence and well-timed aggression to take the opener 21-19.
That ability to hold her nerve under pressure would prove crucial again in the second game. Supanida, aware that she was on the brink of an upset, attempted to raise the tempo and push Sihag into deeper corners of the court. For a while, the strategy worked, as the Thai player found a brief rhythm and tried to dictate rallies from the back court. But Sihag responded with maturity beyond her years. Instead of forcing risky shots, she trusted her defence, absorbed the pressure, and waited for openings.
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When they came, she took them decisively. A series of tight net shots and quick interceptions at the forecourt disrupted Supanida’s flow, while Sihag’s speed allowed her to turn defence into attack in a flash. Gradually, the momentum shifted again, and Sihag edged ahead. Even as the crowd tried to lift Supanida for a late comeback, the Indian remained composed, closing out the match 21-18 to complete one of the standout upsets of the tournament.
The significance of the result is hard to overstate. By defeating the top seed in straight games, Sihag not only booked her place in the semi-finals but also marked her maiden appearance in the last four of a Super 300 or higher-level event on the BWF World Tour. For a player still in the early stages of her senior career, it is a milestone that signals both progress and potential.
Sihag’s performance was notable not just for the result but for the way it was achieved. Her attacking intent was balanced by solid defence, and her net play stood out as a key weapon. Time and again, she used soft blocks and tight tumbling shots to draw weak replies, setting herself up for finishing strokes. Combined with her court coverage and speed, it made for a performance that was both entertaining and highly effective.
For Indian badminton, the match also highlighted the depth that is emerging in women’s singles. With established stars already in the system and a new wave of players pushing through, results like this underline how competitive the internal landscape has become. Sihag’s run in Bangkok shows that even players outside the top 50 can now challenge and defeat elite opposition on the world stage.
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The victory also places her in rare company. Only one Indian woman before her had managed to beat a top seed at the Thailand Masters, and that was P. V. Sindhu. While it would be premature to draw long-term comparisons, the symbolism of that statistic adds another layer to what Sihag has achieved this week.
Her reward for this breakthrough win is a semi-final clash against Huang Yu-Hsun of Chinese Taipei. Huang, ranked higher and experienced at this level, will pose a different kind of challenge, but Sihag will take confidence from the way she handled Supanida. Having already removed the tournament favourite, she will step onto the court knowing she belongs in the contest.
Whatever happens next, Devika Sihag’s run at the Thailand Masters 2026 has already become one of the defining stories of the tournament. In beating a world-class opponent on her home court, the 20-year-old has announced herself as a serious contender on the BWF World Tour and, perhaps more importantly, as a symbol of the exciting depth and promise in Indian women’s badminton today.
