As the Singapore Open Super 750 enters its Round of 16 on May 29, all eyes are on the Indian contingent aiming to push deep into one of the key tournaments on the BWF World Tour.
With Olympic qualification pressure easing post-Paris 2024, players now shift focus to title hunts and consistency on the circuit.
Here’s a breakdown of the six high-stakes matches involving Indian shuttlers on Thursday, from early morning doubles clashes to afternoon blockbusters.
Satwik-Chirag Eye Momentum Shift
Match: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty vs Sabar Karyaman Gutama / Muhammad Reza Isfahani
Time: 09:10 AM | Court: 2 | H2H: 0–0
India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwik and Chirag, start proceedings early against the Indonesian duo of Gutama and Isfahani. Although they haven’t met before on the tour, the Indians are overwhelming favourites, given their top-tier pedigree and recent form. After a steady showing in the opening round, this clash gives them a good opportunity to build rhythm before facing stiffer opponents in the quarters.
Mixed Pair Rohan-Ruthvika Test Unfamiliar Waters
Match: Rohan Kapoor / Ruthvika Gadde vs Tang Chun Man / Tse Ying Suet
Time: 09:20 AM | Court: 3 | H2H: 0–0
Thrown into the deep end against an experienced Hong Kong pair, the relatively new Indian mixed team of Rohan and Ruthvika face a stern test. Tang and Tse are veterans, known for their tactical discipline and on-court chemistry. For the Indians, it’s less about expectations and more about exposure and learning against a world-class unit.
Sindhu vs Chen: Rivalry Renewed
Match: P.V. Sindhu vs Chen Yu Fei
Time: 10:50 AM | Court: 1 | H2H: 6–6
Arguably the most anticipated match of the day for Indian fans. Sindhu vs Chen is a rivalry that has spanned Olympic semifinals, World Tour finals, and high-stakes Superseries matches. Both players have six wins apiece, making this the decider in their tight head-to-head.
Chen’s recent edge has been her consistency, while Sindhu’s attacking game looked sharp in her first-round win. The key battle will be in the midcourt — if Sindhu can push Chen onto the back foot and dictate tempo, she could edge ahead. This contest will have huge implications for Sindhu’s momentum heading into the second half of the season.
Prannoy Faces Tactical French Challenge
Match: H.S. Prannoy vs Christo Popov
Time: 11:00 AM | Court: 3 | H2H: 0–1
Prannoy trails the head-to-head against the younger Popov, and the Frenchman’s aggressive style and deceptive net play caused the Indian problems in their previous meeting. But the Indian veteran has looked solid this season and will need to rely on his patience and counter-attacking game to wear Popov down.
Fatigue management and rally construction will be key — if Prannoy can extend rallies and stay error-free, his experience should tilt the scales.
Jolly-Gayatri’s Uphill Battle
Match: Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand vs Jia Yi Fan / Zhang Shu Xian
Time: 12:30 PM | Court: 1 | H2H: 0–1
Facing one of the most formidable Chinese pairings in Jia and Zhang, Treesa and Gayatri must bring their A-game. Their only previous meeting ended in defeat, and the Chinese are known for their rock-solid defense and sharp front-court play.
The Indian pair will need to rely on aggressive service returns and create angles to disrupt the Chinese rhythm. A win here would be a massive statement for the young Indian duo still searching for that big scalp in 2025.
Amrutha-Sonali in Learning Mode
Match: Amrutha Pramod / Sonali Shivlingam vs Gronya Somerville / Angela Yu
Time: 04:50 PM | Court: 3 | H2H: 0–1
Closing out India’s day is the women’s doubles match between Amrutha-Sonali and the Aussie pair of Somerville and Yu. While the Indians are still finding their feet at this level, the Australians are a seasoned pair with multiple tour wins. With one loss already in their history, this outing is a shot at redemption and valuable experience against a well-synchronized unit.
What’s at Stake
For most Indian players, the Singapore Open presents a crucial opportunity to test form in a top-tier event between Olympic cycles. With several young pairings in action, these matches are as much about learning as they are about winning. Sindhu’s clash against Chen remains the headline act, but eyes will also be on Satwik-Chirag to go deep and Prannoy to steady his singles journey in 2025.
The Round of 16 promises drama, learning, and perhaps a few upsets. With Indian players spread across all five categories, this Thursday could shape how the rest of their season unfolds.
Stay tuned.
