At the Guwahati Masters 2025, the men’s singles draw threw up many expected results, but one story stood out for its sheer improbability and persistence.
World No. 384 Sanskar Saraswat arrived in Guwahati without headlines, without seeding protection, and without the comfort of direct entry. He left as the S100 champion, defeating four higher-ranked opponents on his way to the title and making one of the biggest ranking jumps of the season.
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Sanskar’s campaign began in the qualifiers the toughest route in a World Tour Super 100 event. With no margin for error, he first defeated Aditya Goparaju 21-16, 21-13 in the opening qualifying round, showing early signs of control and patience. The decisive qualifier against Rounak Chouhan proved harder. After losing the second game, Sanskar regrouped to win the decider 21-17 and secure his place in the main draw.
Already, he had spent significant time on court before most top players had even picked up a racket.
Statement Win in Round of 32
Drawn against World No. 44 Jason Gunawan (Hong Kong) in the Round of 32, Sanskar was the clear underdog on paper. Gunawan’s ranking and experience suggested a straightforward contest. Instead, Sanskar delivered one of the standout results of the tournament. Winning 21-18, 21-19, Sanskar neutralised Gunawan’s attacking game with disciplined defense and sharp counterplay. He stayed composed in the closing points of both games, refusing to give away cheap errors.
For a player ranked outside the top 350, this was not just an upset it was a sign that his base level was far higher than his ranking suggested.
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The quarterfinal against World No. 107 Saneeth Dayanand was a test of endurance and decision-making. After dropping the opening game 15-21, Sanskar made clear tactical adjustments, extending rallies and targeting the backcourt more consistently. The result was a turnaround win, taking the next two games 21-13, 22-20.
The third game, in particular, spoke volumes. At 20-all, Sanskar held his nerve, choosing percentage shots over risky winners a maturity not always seen in players at this stage of their career.
Control in the Semifinals
By the semifinals, Sanskar had already proven his staying power. Against World No. 188 Dendi Triansyah (Indonesia), he delivered one of his most controlled performances of the week. Winning 21-19, 21-19, Sanskar dictated the rhythm, refusing to let the match turn into a flat, defensive contest.
Indonesia’s tradition of producing strong singles players meant this was never going to be straightforward, but Sanskar’s consistency from the baseline and improved net play made the difference. He was no longer just surviving matches he was dictating them.
The Final: Beating Mithun Manjunath
The title match against World No. 76 Mithun Manjunath was the biggest test of all. Mithun, one of India’s more established names on the circuit, had the experience and physicality to exploit any dip in Sanskar’s level.
After splitting the first two games, Sanskar produced his best badminton of the week in the decider, winning it 21-13. What stood out was his clarity under pressure controlling rallies, choosing when to attack, and closing out points decisively. For someone who had started the week in qualification rounds, this was a championship performance in every sense.
The Guwahati Masters title propels Sanskar Saraswat from World No. 384 to World No. 210, a significant jump that changes his immediate career outlook. More importantly, it improves his chances of direct entries into future World Tour events, reducing his reliance on qualifiers.
Training out of NCE Guwahati, Sanskar’s rise also underlines the growing impact of structured training environments outside the traditional badminton hubs. His performance showcased fitness consistency, tactical adaptability, and mental resilience traits essential for sustained success at the international level.
More Than a One-Week Story
This title does not instantly make Sanskar a finished product, but it firmly establishes him as a player to watch. Coming through qualifiers, beating players ranked 40, 70, 100, and 180+, and finishing the week with the trophy is not coincidence. The Guwahati Masters 2025 may well be remembered as the tournament where Sanskar Saraswat announced himself to the world circuit not with noise or bravado, but with results that spoke for themselves.
