The Hong Kong Open 2025 (Super 500) began with an intense Round of 32, producing mixed results for India’s badminton contingent.
While the men’s singles (MS) players showcased resilience and advanced in numbers, the women’s singles (WS) campaign faced a tough opening hurdle, with big names like P.V. Sindhu falling short in closely fought battles. Doubles action, too, witnessed contrasting outcomes for the Indian squads.
Men’s Singles, Strong Progress and Rising Confidence : Indian men’s singles players delivered some of the most convincing performances on day one, with four out of five advancing to the next round.
Ayush Shetty stuns Su Li Yang : Youngster Ayush Shetty displayed maturity beyond his years, coming from a game down to defeat Su Li Yang of Chinese Taipei 15-21, 21-19, 21-13. The 19-year-old showed remarkable composure in the decider, using sharp net play and well-timed smashes to outlast his opponent. This victory not only highlights his rapid progress on the international stage but also sets him up as a promising dark horse in the tournament.
Prannoy HS outclasses Lu Guang Zu : Veteran HS Prannoy continued his dependable form, easing past China’s Lu Guang Zu 21-17, 21-14. The world No. 9 controlled the rallies with his characteristic patience, mixing defensive solidity with sudden attacking bursts. For Prannoy, who has been a pillar for India in recent years, this straight-game win reaffirms his credentials as one of the favorites to make a deep run.
Lakshya Sen digs deep against Wang Tzu Wei : Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen survived a stern test against Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei, clinching the contest 22-20, 16-21, 21-15. The seesaw battle saw Lakshya fight back from the brink in the opening game before conceding the second. In the decider, however, his aggressive forehand smashes and sharp interceptions at the net proved decisive. Sen’s ability to grind out tough matches continues to be his hallmark.
Kiran George dominates Jason Teh : In another positive result, Kiran George impressed with a commanding 21-16, 21-11 victory over Singapore’s Jason Teh. George looked sharp from the start, dictating the pace with controlled rallies and rarely allowing Teh to find rhythm. This confidence-boosting win ensures India has multiple contenders alive in the men’s singles draw.
Anupama Upadhyay falls short : The lone setback in men’s and women’s singles combined came from Anupama Upadhyay, who fought valiantly before going down to Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki 17-21, 22-20, 14-21. Anupama forced the match into a decider after saving game points in the second, but Miyazaki’s consistency proved too much in the end. Despite the loss, Anupama’s spirited display underlines her growing maturity at the highest level.
Women’s Singles: Sindhu Knocked Out, Ramraj Overpowered : The women’s singles campaign proved challenging for India, with both representatives exiting in the opening round.
Sindhu edged out by Line Christophersen : In the biggest upset for Indian fans, two-time Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu suffered a narrow defeat against Denmark’s Line Christophersen, 21-15, 16-21, 19-21. After a dominant start, Sindhu’s rhythm faltered in the second game as Christophersen countered with strong defense and precision attacking. The decider was a tense affair, with Sindhu clawing back from 14-19 to 19-20, but the Dane held her nerve to close out the match.
For Sindhu, the loss is another reminder of the stiff competition in women’s singles as she continues her quest to rediscover consistent form ahead of bigger events.
Rakshitha Ramraj overwhelmed by Intanon : Young Rakshitha Ramraj faced a daunting task against Thai veteran Ratchanok Intanon and went down 13-21, 7-21. Intanon’s superior stroke play and tactical awareness proved too strong, leaving Ramraj little room to maneuver. While the defeat was comprehensive, the exposure against a former world champion will be invaluable for the Indian youngster.
Panda sisters impress in women’s doubles : The bright spark in doubles came from the Panda sisters, S. Panda and R. Panda, who registered a commanding 21-17, 21-9 win over Hong Kong’s O Pang and Wong SY. The Indian duo looked in control throughout, combining strong defensive play with quick reflexes at the net. Their performance not only gave India a much-needed win in women’s doubles but also showcased the growing depth in this category.
Mixed doubles struggles continue
It was disappointment for India in mixed doubles, with both pairs bowing out.
- Rohan and Ruthvika lost 14-21, 17-21 to China’s Feng/Huang, failing to mount a sustained challenge against the seasoned pair.
- Dhruv and Tanisha, meanwhile, went down 16-21, 11-21 against Chinese Taipei’s Chen CK/Hsu YH, unable to match their opponents’ pace and coordination.
The Round of 32 results from the Hong Kong Open 2025 underline the shifting balance in Indian badminton. The men’s singles contingent, led by Prannoy, Lakshya, Ayush Shetty, and Kiran George, has advanced strongly, keeping hopes alive for a deep tournament run. However, the early exits of Sindhu and Anupama highlight the challenges facing India in women’s singles, a category once dominated by Sindhu and Saina Nehwal.
In doubles, the Panda sisters’ progress offers a positive storyline, but mixed doubles continues to be a work in progress for India on the world stage. As the tournament heads into the Round of 16, all eyes will be on the men’s singles stars to carry forward India’s challenge and aim for podium finishes. For the youngsters like Ayush Shetty and Anupama Upadhyay, these matches provide invaluable exposure, while veterans like Prannoy and Sindhu will be measured by their ability to stay consistent against elite opposition.
The Hong Kong Open has always been a testing ground ahead of bigger BWF events, and for India, it has once again thrown up both encouraging signs and reminders of the work ahead.
