The final European leg of the badminton calendar brings the focus to Saarbrücken, Germany, where the Hylo Open 2025 (Super 500) kicks off on Tuesday.
For India, the tournament marks both an opportunity for redemption and a testing ground for its next generation of shuttlers, as a blend of seasoned names and young talent take to the courts at the Saarlandhalle. With Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth spearheading the men’s singles contingent, India will be keen to end October on a strong note following a mixed run in recent tournaments. The USD 475,000 event promises high-quality competition and crucial ranking points as players jostle for early-season momentum heading into the year-end BWF circuit.
World No. 16 Lakshya Sen enters Saarbrücken as India’s top-ranked men’s singles player but also one in search of rhythm. The 2024 Olympic semi-finalist has endured a difficult 2025 BWF season 11 first-round exits in 17 tournaments have blunted his early-year promise. Yet, the Hylo Open offers a symbolic reset.
Sen holds fond memories of this venue, having captured the 2019 Hylo Open title when it was a Super 100 event his first BWF World Tour crown. Six years later, he returns to the same stage looking for similar inspiration. His opening round is far from straightforward a rematch against defending champion and fifth seed Christo Popov of France. The head-to-head stands at 1–1, with Sen winning their encounter at the 2022 India Open but losing in straight games at last year’s World Championships.
Popov’s sharp mid-court game and deceptive pace will test Sen’s defense, while the Indian will look to dictate with steep smashes and improved net control two aspects that have looked inconsistent since the French Open.
Srikanth vs. Kiran George: All-Indian Clash in the Opener
Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, who has shown glimpses of revival this season, faces an intriguing all-Indian opening-round clash against Kiran George. Srikanth, currently ranked outside the world’s top 25, reached the final of the Malaysia Masters in May after beginning that week in the qualifiers a run that reminded fans of his vintage 2017-18 form.
Kiran George, on the other hand, has been one of India’s most improved players in 2025. The 24-year-old from Kerala captured the Orleans Masters title earlier this year and has consistently troubled higher-ranked opponents. His recent results, however, have been uneven on the European leg, and the matchup against Srikanth provides a chance to reignite his momentum.
The winner of this tie will likely face one of the seeded Europeans in the next round making it a critical first hurdle for both players.
Among India’s rising stars, Ayush Shetty, the US Open champion and India’s only BWF World Tour title-winner this season, headlines the next-gen contingent. The 19-year-old faces Denmark’s Victor Lai in the opening round, and a victory could potentially pit him against a top-10 opponent in the second round an experience that will further accelerate his growth on the circuit. Also in the fray are S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian, who takes on Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao, and Tharun Mannepalli, who has drawn a daunting opener against Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, the second seed and reigning Asian champion.
Tharun, a semi-finalist at the Macau Open Super 300 earlier this month, has shown tactical maturity and confidence in long rallies, but facing Christie indoors will be a true test of his physical and technical range.
With P.V. Sindhu ending her season early to focus on recovery from a foot injury, India’s women’s singles draw features an entirely young lineup. Teenagers Anmol Kharb and Unnati Hooda, alongside Aakarshi Kashyap, Anupama Upadhyaya, Tanya Hemanth, and Rakshitha Ramraj, represent India in Saarbrücken each with distinct storylines. Anmol Kharb, who made the semifinals at the Arctic Open Super 500, opens against Denmark’s Julie Dawall Jakobsen. Unnati Hooda, champion at the Abu Dhabi Masters last year, faces Brazil’s Juliana Vieira, while Anupama Upadhyaya takes on Ukraine’s Polina Buhrova.
Meanwhile, Shriyanshi Valishetty, fresh off her Al Ain Masters Super 100 title, faces a tough test against Denmark’s third seed Line Kjaersfeldt.
This all-youth lineup reflects the transitional phase in Indian women’s badminton an era defined by opportunity and the search for the next Sindhu-like breakthrough.
In men’s doubles, India has just one pair Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy and Sai Pratheek K. who face a stiff opener against the French brothers Christo and Toma Junior Popov. In mixed doubles, Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde begin against Canada’s Jonathan Lai and Crystal Lai, looking to add valuable international exposure after limited events together this season.
Where to Watch Hylo Open 2025 Live
Badminton fans in India can catch all the Hylo Open 2025 matches live on the BWF TV YouTube channel. There will be no live television broadcast in India. Matches begin Tuesday afternoon in Saarbrücken (evening IST).
The Hylo Open marks one of the final Super 500 tournaments before the year-end Finals cutoff. For players like Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth, deep runs could prove decisive in rebuilding form and confidence ahead of the Asian leg in November. For India’s emerging names Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, and Anmol Kharb Saarbrücken represents more than ranking points. It’s a proving ground a chance to announce themselves as the next wave ready to take Indian badminton forward.
