The opening round of the Indonesia Open Super 1000 brought a blend of nostalgia, fight, and heartbreak for Indian badminton, with PV Sindhu’s triumph over Nozomi Okuhara highlighting Day 1 action. While Malvika Bansod retired due to a injury, debutant Rakshitha Ramraj and young talent Anupama Upadhyay bowed out after fighting displays.
Sindhu vs Okuhara: A Rivalry That Keeps Giving
It was the 19th meeting between PV Sindhu and Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara – a matchup steeped in history and mutual respect. On Tuesday, Sindhu added another chapter to their storied rivalry, winning 22-20, 21-23, 21-15 in a 78-minute rollercoaster that showcased grit, experience, and attacking flair.
Sindhu edged a tense opening game 22-20 before Okuhara fought back in typical fashion to take the second 23-21. In the decider, the Indian turned up the aggression, pulling away from 11-9 at the interval to close out the match with clean winners and smart court coverage. It was a confidence-boosting win for Sindhu, who is building momentum under new coach Agus Dwi Santoso.
Mixed Fortunes for the Rest of the Squad
Malvika Bansod retired midway as she got injured against local favorite Putri Kusuma Wardani retired mid-match. Bansod was leading 21-16, 16-15 when she pulled out, handing the her a walkover. Malvika looked in control for most of the contest and was looking forward to tougher challenges in the coming rounds.
Rakshitha Ramraj, making her Super 1000 main draw debut, made a strong impression against Thailand’s Supanida Katethong. Ramraj took the opening game 21-14 with aggressive intent, but the Thai shuttler raised her level to clinch the next two games 21-15, 21-12. Despite the loss, Ramraj’s composure and court craft were evident, signaling promise for the future.
Anupama Upadhyay, who was drawn against the experienced Kim Ga Eun of Korea, couldn’t find her rhythm on the day. The Korean dictated the pace throughout, winning 21-15, 21-9 in straight games. Anupama struggled to match the consistency of her opponent and will look to regroup ahead of her next few international outings.
India’s women’s singles campaign continues with Sindhu and Malvika in the draw. With Olympic qualification pressure looming large and limited Super 1000 events left this season, every match from here on holds weight.
Sindhu’s win is a timely reminder of her big-match temperament and ability to deliver under pressure. As for India’s young shuttlers, the day was about learning, exposure, and taking steps forward on the world stage.
Results Summary – Women’s Singles, Indonesia Open 2025 (R1)
- PV Sindhu def. Nozomi Okuhara (JPN) 22-20, 21-23, 21-15
- Malvika Bansod retd. Putri Wardani (INA) 21-16, 16-15 (Retired)
- Rakshitha Ramraj lost to Supanida Katethong (THA) 21-14, 15-21, 12-21
- Anupama Upadhyay lost to Kim Ga Eun (KOR) 15-21, 9-21
Stay tuned as the Indonesia Open heats up with more Indian stars in action.
