All-Indian Semifinal Sweep Caps Off Dominant Week for Indian Badminton as Isharani Baruah Wins St Denis Reunion Open
India’s rising star Isharani Baruah etched her name into the winner’s column with a brilliant title-winning performance at the St Denis Reunion Open 2025, securing the Women’s Singles crown in an all-Indian final against compatriot Shriyanshi Valishetty.
The 21-year-old from Assam showed poise under pressure, winning 21-19, 21-15 in a high-quality contest that lasted 39 minutes.
An All-Indian Affair on Foreign Soil
What made this win even more special was the broader context—India had all four semifinalists in the women’s singles draw, with Tasnim Mir, Ashmitha Chaliha, Shriyanshi Valishetty, and Isharani Baruah sweeping the final four spots. It was a showcase of depth, dominance, and the growing strength of India’s women’s circuit.
Baruah’s title run capped a week of authoritative badminton, during which she took down some of the most promising names in the domestic scene. She started her campaign by defeating Malya Hoareau in straight games, before surviving a stern test against Ukraine’s Mariia Stolairenko in the Round of 16.
Despite dropping the first game 18-21, she roared back with 21-11, 21-10 wins—showing both tactical clarity and mental fortitude.
🏸 Path to Glory: Dominance in Every Stage
- R32: def. Malya Hoareau (21-17, 21-15)
- R16: def. Mariia Stoliaranko (18-21, 21-11, 21-10)
- QF: def. Tanvi Sharma (21-15, 21-13)
- SF: def. Tasnim Mir (21-7, 21-9)
- Final: def. Shriyanshi Valishetty (21-19, 21-15)
The semifinal win over Tasnim Mir, a fellow junior circuit standout and former World Junior No.1, was arguably the most emphatic performance of the tournament. Baruah dominated from start to finish, allowing just 16 points in the entire match.
Final Recap: Patience, Precision, and Pressure Play
In the final, Baruah was initially trailing 5-9 in the opening game, with Shriyanshi Valishetty dictating early rallies using her flat drives and quick net play. But Baruah, known for her deep-court coverage and tactical patience, flipped the script with a six-point burst to take the lead 15-11. Although Valishetty clawed back to 19-all, Baruah held her nerve with two clutch winners to close out the game 21-19.
The second game saw Baruah tighten the screws tactically—slowing the pace, controlling the mid-court exchanges, and targeting Shriyanshi’s backhand corner. The momentum stayed with her throughout, as she sealed the title with a confident 21-15 win.
Expert Take: Isharani’s Turning Point Performance?
As a badminton editor who has followed India’s junior-to-senior transition stories for a decade, Isharani’s run at St Denis feels pivotal. She’s always had court coverage and a technically sound game, but what stood out this week was her mental consistency and ability to close matches without lapses—often the difference at the Challenger and Future Series levels.
With this win, she not only adds a BWF title to her growing resume but also sends a strong message to selectors and sponsors ahead of the packed 2025 calendar, which includes major International Series and Super 100 events.
- 4/4 semifinalists were Indian
- 3 all-Indian matchups from QF onwards
- 6 Indian players reached the final eight (including Devika Sihag and Tanvi Sharma)
This tournament may not have the glitz of a World Tour Super 500, but in terms of player development and bench strength, India’s performance in St Denis was nothing short of a clean sweep.
📌 What’s Next?
Isharani Baruah’s ranking is expected to climb after this title, and it will be interesting to see if she gains direct entry into higher-tier events later this year. Meanwhile, for the likes of Shriyanshi, Tasnim, and Ashmitha—this tournament offers the perfect springboard to build on what has already been an exciting year for Indian women’s badminton.
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