India’s leading women’s singles contenders and a clutch of emerging men’s players made an emphatic start to their campaigns at the 87th Senior Nationals 2025 Badminton Championships, as the early rounds in Vijayawada produced a mix of dominant performances, promising youth displays, and one notable upset.
Top seed Unnati Hooda led the charge in the women’s singles, underlining her status as one of the most consistent domestic performers of the season. After receiving a first-round bye, Unnati wasted little time asserting control in her opening match, cruising past wildcard entrant Akanksha Matte 21-8, 21-18. While the second game saw a brief fightback from Matte, Unnati’s composure and superior court coverage ensured she closed out the contest without alarm.
Another strong statement came from Tanvi Sharma, the world junior championships silver medallist, who began her campaign with a clinical straight-games win over Asian U-15 girls singles gold medallist Shaina Manimuthu. Tanvi’s 21-10, 21-14 victory highlighted the growing gap between her and many of her contemporaries at the senior level, as she combined pace, sharp net play and control from the backcourt to dictate proceedings throughout the match.
The opening day also saw experienced campaigners and upcoming juniors finding their rhythm. Aakarshi Kashyap, one of the more seasoned names in the women’s draw, delivered a commanding performance against Asian U-17 championships silver medallist Lakshya Rajesh, winning 21-7, 21-9. Aakarshi’s experience showed in her ability to take the shuttle early and apply constant pressure, never allowing her younger opponent to settle.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Ashmita Chaliha also advanced smoothly, defeating Kavya Marvaniya 21-7, 21-11 in a match that was largely one-way traffic. Ashmita’s sharp attacking play and improved movement were evident as she wrapped up the contest efficiently, signalling her intent to go deep into the tournament.
The only major surprise in the women’s singles draw came with the exit of 16th seed Purva Barve, who became the first seeded casualty of the championships. Purva went down in a tightly contested three-game encounter against M Meghana Reddy, losing 21-19, 17-21, 18-21 in the round of 64. Meghana’s resilience in the closing stages of the decider proved decisive, as she held her nerve in key rallies to knock out the higher-ranked opponent.
In the men’s singles, the spotlight was firmly on a mix of rising talents and established domestic names, and the opening round did not disappoint. Eleventh seed Rounak Chauhan, one of India’s promising juniors making the transition to senior badminton, began his campaign in confident fashion with a 21-9, 21-13 win over Ranveer Singh. Chauhan’s speed around the court and ability to change the pace of rallies allowed him to dominate from start to finish.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Twelfth seed D S Saneeth was equally impressive, dispatching Ankit Mondal 21-7, 21-11 to book his place in the next round. Saneeth’s aggressive approach, particularly his ability to control the forecourt, ensured that the match never drifted out of his control.
Another notable performance came from 16th seed Sanskar Saraswat, the reigning Guwahati Masters Super 100 champion, who lived up to expectations with a polished 21-11, 21-13 victory over Shikhar Rallan. Saraswat’s attacking intent and confidence, built on the back of his recent international success, were evident as he negotiated the opening hurdle with ease.
The early rounds of the 87th Senior National Badminton Championships have already offered a snapshot of the depth and direction of Indian badminton. With established names asserting themselves and younger players showing they are ready to challenge at the senior level, the competition in Vijayawada is shaping up to be intense across both singles draws.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will increasingly shift to potential clashes between experience and youth, with players like Unnati Hooda and Aakarshi Kashyap expected to face sterner tests, while emerging stars such as Tanvi Sharma, Rounak Chauhan and Sanskar Saraswat will look to build on their confident starts.
For now, the opening day belonged to those who arrived prepared, decisive, and eager to make a statement on the national stage.
