India’s rising badminton star Lakshya Sen delivered a breathtaking performance at the YONEX All England Open 2025, dismantling defending champion Jonatan Christie in straight games 21-13, 21-10.
With this dominant display, Sen not only avenged his semifinal loss from last year but also secured a back-to-back quarterfinal spot at the prestigious tournament.
This win is a statement of intent from Lakshya, who seems to have rediscovered his best form. His aggression, precision, and control over the game left the third-seeded Indonesian struggling for answers. The Indian shuttler will now face China’s Li Shi Feng in the quarterfinals, a match that promises to be another exciting battle.
Tough Battles for Other Indian Shuttlers
While Lakshya’s win was a highlight, the day saw mixed results for Indian badminton. Malvika Bansod put up a strong fight against the third seed and former world champion Akane Yamaguchi but ultimately fell short, losing 16-21, 13-21.
The young Indian showcased her potential, but Yamaguchi’s experience and relentless play proved too much.
In mixed doubles, the Indian pair of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde faced a tough challenge against China’s 5th-seeded duo, Feng Yan Zhe and Wei Ya Xin. Despite showing resilience, they couldn’t make a breakthrough, losing 10-21, 12-21. These matches, while ending in defeat, offer valuable lessons for the rising Indian talents.
Treesa-Gayatri Duo Stun Korean Pair
In a thrilling contest, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela continued their strong run, securing a hard-fought victory over Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong in a three-game battle 15-21, 21-18, 21-18.
This win is a significant milestone for the Indian duo, marking their best performance of the year so far. The two-time All England Open semifinalists (2022, 2023) are back in the quarterfinals, proving their consistency on the big stage. With this victory, Treesa and Gayatri have officially climbed to World No. 9 in rankings, surpassing the Korean pair.
Their next challenge? China’s Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in the quarterfinals—another tough test that could propel them even further in the tournament.
Setback for Satwik-Chirag as Chirag Pulls Out Due to Injury
In a disappointing turn of events, India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were forced to retire due to Chirag’s back injury. The match against their Chinese opponents ended prematurely at 16-21, 2-2.
This is a setback for the world-class Indian pair, who have been one of the most consistent doubles teams in recent times. Fans will be hoping for Chirag’s quick recovery so that the duo can return to their best soon.
China Dominates Quarterfinal Stage
China’s dominance at the All England Open 2025 continues, with 13 representatives across all five categories making it to the quarterfinals. The Chinese shuttlers have been in formidable form, posing a major challenge to competitors from other nations.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether India’s Lakshya Sen and the Treesa-Gayatri duo can go the distance and break China’s stronghold in Birmingham.
What’s Next?
• Lakshya Sen vs Li Shi Feng 🇨🇳 – Can Sen keep his title hopes alive?
• Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand vs Liu Sheng Shu / Tan Ning 🇨🇳 – Another big test for the Indian women’s doubles pair.
• Rest and recovery for Satwik-Chirag – Fans await updates on Chirag’s injury status.
With high-stakes matches ahead, Indian badminton fans will be cheering their shuttlers on as they aim for glory at the All England Open 2025!
