It was a day to remember for Indian badminton at the HYLO Open 2025 in Saarbrücken, as three rising stars Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian, Shriyanshi Valishetty, and Rakshita Ramraj Santosh delivered standout performances to storm into the Round of 16.
Each win came against higher-ranked opponents, underlining the growing depth and belief in India’s next generation of shuttlers. From Sankar’s dogged triumph over Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao to two commanding women’s singles victories by Rakshita and Shriyanshi, it was a day that not only lifted Indian spirits but also showcased the strength of the country’s developing talent pool on the world stage.
India’s World No. 65 Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian scripted one of the biggest upsets of the day, taking down World No. 22 Leong Jun Hao of Malaysia in three thrilling games 21-14, 18-21, 21-16 to enter the Round of 16. Sankar, known for his defensive resilience and tactical maturity, showed poise beyond his years in a contest that swung wildly before he steadied himself in the decider. He started aggressively, controlling the rallies and pinning Leong to the backcourt with steep clears and precise pushes. The Indian dictated tempo to take the opening game 21-14, sealing it with a deft net kill that left the Malaysian lunging.
Leong, however, fought back in the second game, tightening his defense and using sharp half-smashes to push Sankar deeper into the corners. Though the Indian stayed within striking distance, Leong’s superior pace helped him level the match 21-18.
In the deciding game, Sankar raised his intensity. His court coverage and anticipation frustrated Leong, forcing errors at the net. From 8-8, Sankar pulled ahead with a five-point burst — a sequence that turned the match. He maintained composure to close it 21-16, punching the air in celebration after securing one of the finest wins of his senior international career. The victory improved Sankar’s head-to-head record against Leong to 2-0, reaffirming his growing confidence against top-30 players. The result also sets up an all-Indian Round of 16 clash with Lakshya Sen, who earlier stunned World No. 7 Christo Popov in straight games.
For Indian fans, it promises to be a special encounter a battle between two of India’s brightest men’s singles prospects, one a proven star and the other a rapidly ascending force.
Double Delight in Women’s Singles: Shriyanshi and Rakshita Blaze Through
If Sankar’s win lit up the afternoon, India’s women’s singles contingent turned the evening session into a celebration.
First up, Shriyanshi Valishetty (World No. 48) produced the performance of her young career, stunning World No. 21 Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt of Denmark in straight games 21-19, 21-12. The 21-year-old Indian, who won the Al Ain Masters earlier this year, showed remarkable composure against the experienced Dane, mixing aggression with control. In the first game, Shriyanshi trailed 14-17 but rallied with tight net play and sharp forehand angles to snatch it 21-19. The second game was one-way traffic her speed and early racket preparation consistently outwitted Kjaersfeldt, who struggled to contain the Indian’s attacking rhythm. Shriyanshi sealed the win 21-12, registering what is arguably the biggest victory of her career to date.
Just minutes later, Rakshita Santosh Ramraj joined her in the Round of 16, defeating Spain’s Clara Azurmendi 21-14, 21-16 in another assured performance. Rakshita, who has been one of India’s most consistent performers in Super 100 and Super 300 events this season, dominated proceedings with her precision and superior movement.
Her first-game control set the tone pushing Azurmendi deep with punch clears and finishing with crisp down-the-line winners. In the second, she absorbed a mid-game fightback before closing out the match with back-to-back smashes to the Spaniard’s body.
With four out of four Indian players Lakshya Sen, Sankar Subramanian, Shriyanshi Valishetty, and Rakshita Santosh Ramraj advancing to the Round of 16, the HYLO Open 2025 has become one of India’s best collective showings at a BWF Super 500 event in recent years.
Notably, the Round of 16 will feature two all-Indian clashes:
- Lakshya Sen vs Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian (Men’s Singles)
- Rakshita Santosh Ramraj vs Shriyanshi Valishetty (Women’s Singles)
This rare double occurrence where both Indian men’s and women’s singles matches will produce at least one national quarterfinalist highlights the emerging competitive parity within Indian badminton’s next generation. For years, India’s progress in top-tier events depended largely on a handful of names PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, HS Prannoy, and Kidambi Srikanth. But in 2025, the narrative is shifting. The new crop, led by Lakshya, Sankar, Unnati Hooda, Anmol Kharb, Rakshita, and Shriyanshi, is proving that India’s bench strength is deeper and more dynamic than ever.
The next round promises fireworks. The Sen–Sankar clash will be a fascinating tactical duel — Sen’s explosiveness against Sankar’s precision. Meanwhile, Rakshita vs Shriyanshi offers a glimpse into the future of Indian women’s badminton, as two young shuttlers battle not just for a quarterfinal spot but also for momentum heading into the season’s final stretch.
Whatever the outcomes, October 29, 2025, will go down as a landmark day for Indian badminton a day when young shuttlers stepped up, silenced rankings, and reminded the world that the next chapter of India’s badminton story is already being written.
