The BWF World Tour shifts its focus to Suwon, South Korea, as the Korea Open 2025 Super 500 gets underway with a competitive Round of 32 on September 24.
Indian shuttlers are set to feature in five matches across singles and mixed doubles, facing some of the toughest names in the global circuit. The Suwon Gymnasium will host the day’s proceedings, streamed live on BWF TV’s YouTube channel, with Indian fans eagerly anticipating how their athletes fare against high-caliber opponents.
Women’s Singles: Anupama Upadhyaya vs Putri Wardani
India’s Anupama Upadhyaya opens her campaign against Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani at 11:30 AM (Court 2).
- Head-to-head: First meeting (0–0).
For Anupama, this match presents an opportunity to prove her mettle against a fast-rising Indonesian who thrives on attacking play. Upadhyaya, known for her agility and counter-attacking style, will need to dictate rallies early and avoid being drawn into long exchanges where Wardani’s shot-making can hurt her.
Mixed Doubles: M Jaglan / L Jaglan vs Y Shimogami / S Hobara
At 11:40 AM on Court 3, the Indian sibling duo M Jaglan and L Jaglan step onto the international Super 500 stage to test themselves against Japan’s Y Shimogami and S Hobara.
- Head-to-head: First meeting (0–0).
The Japanese pair are technically sound and adept in rotations, so the Jaglans will need quick reflexes at the net and solid mid-court control to keep themselves in the contest. It will be a steep test, but a good chance for the young Indian pair to gain exposure at this level.
Men’s Singles: Kiran George vs Loh Kean Yew
Perhaps the most high-profile Indian match of the day, Kiran George will battle Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew at 1:10 PM on Court 1.
- Head-to-head: Loh leads 1–0.
Kiran has shown steady progress in the past season, but Loh the 2021 World Champion remains one of the fastest and most explosive players on tour. For George, the key will be patience and minimizing errors while forcing Loh into back-court exchanges. Any lapse in concentration, however, could see Loh take control swiftly.
Men’s Singles: HS Prannoy vs Chico Dwi Wardoyo
India’s veteran campaigner HS Prannoy faces Indonesia’s Chico Dwi Wardoyo in a clash scheduled for 3:50 PM on Court 3.
- Head-to-head: Prannoy leads 3–1.
Prannoy, one of India’s most consistent performers on the BWF circuit, will enter this match with confidence given his winning record over Wardoyo. His tactical discipline, combined with sharp net play and resilience in rallies, often gives him the edge against attacking players like the Indonesian. A win here could set him on course for another deep run in a Super 500 event.
Men’s Singles: Ayush Shetty vs Su Li Yang
Closing out the Indian action, rising youngster Ayush Shetty faces Taiwan’s Su Li Yang at 4:40 PM on Court 3.
- Head-to-head: Shetty leads 1–0.
Ayush, one of the brightest prospects in Indian badminton, carries momentum after consistent performances on the international stage.
With a slender head-to-head lead, Shetty will look to replicate his past success against Su, but the Taiwanese shuttler is a tricky opponent with deceptive strokes. For Ayush, maintaining composure in the closing stages of games will be crucial.
The Korea Open Super 500 is a crucial stop on the BWF calendar, offering valuable ranking points and momentum as players look toward bigger events later in the season. For India, the tournament presents a dual opportunity:
- Established stars like HS Prannoy aim to strengthen their consistency at the top level.
- Youngsters like Anupama Upadhyaya and Ayush Shetty can test themselves against seasoned opponents, gaining experience vital for their long-term growth.
Schedule Snapshot (Indian Players)
- WS: Anupama Upadhyaya vs Putri Wardani – 11:30 AM, Court 2
- XD: M Jaglan / L Jaglan vs Y Shimogami / S Hobara – 11:40 AM, Court 3
- MS: Kiran George vs Loh Kean Yew – 1:10 PM, Court 1
- MS: HS Prannoy vs Chico Dwi Wardoyo – 3:50 PM, Court 3
- MS: Ayush Shetty vs Su Li Yang – 4:40 PM, Court 3
With a blend of youth and experience, India’s Round of 32 fixtures at the Korea Open 2025 promise an exciting day of action. While challenges are stiff particularly for Kiran George against Loh Kean Yew the likes of HS Prannoy and Ayush Shetty hold realistic chances of advancing deeper into the draw.
Indian fans will be hoping that this mix of fresh energy and seasoned reliability delivers a strong showing in Suwon, setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.
