India’s Tanvi Reddy came agonizingly close to lifting the women’s singles title at the Yonex Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2025, eventually finishing runner-up after a hard-fought three-game loss in the final.
In a contest that stretched over an hour and tested both physical endurance and mental resilience, Tanvi went down 20–22, 23–21, 17–21 to fellow Indian Ishika Jaiswal, settling for a silver-medal finish after an otherwise impressive campaign.
While the final result fell just short of the ultimate prize, Tanvi’s performance across the week underlined her growing maturity on the international circuit and reinforced her status as one of India’s most consistent performers at the International Challenge level.
A Strong Run to the Final
Tanvi’s journey in Dhaka was marked by control, composure and a clear tactical plan. She opened her campaign with a straight-games win over China’s Josephine Zhao in the round of 32, setting the tone with sharp movement and disciplined shot selection. In the round of 16, she negotiated a tricky match-up against Malaysia’s Ler Qi Eng, again winning in straight games, but only after being pushed to elevate her intensity in the latter stages of the second game.
The quarter-final saw Tanvi face compatriot Durga Esha Kandrapu, a match that demanded clarity rather than flair. Tanvi delivered exactly that, winning comfortably in straight games to book her place in the semi-finals without dropping a game.
Her semi-final clash against Vietnam’s Thi Thu Huyen Nguyen proved to be one of the defining moments of her tournament. Nguyen attempted to dictate rallies early with aggressive placements and changes of pace, but Tanvi absorbed the pressure well, gradually taking control of the forecourt and extending rallies on her own terms. Winning in straight games, Tanvi secured her place in the final with confidence and consistency.
By the time she reached the title match, Tanvi had not dropped a single game all week, a statistic that reflected both her physical readiness and tactical sharpness.
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The women’s singles final was a battle of nerve, patience and endurance. Facing Ishika Jaiswal, Tanvi found herself in a match where momentum swung repeatedly. The opening game was tightly contested, with both players trading long rallies and testing each other’s defensive resolve. Tanvi saved game points but eventually conceded the opener 20–22, a narrow margin that set the tone for what followed.
The second game showcased Tanvi at her resilient best. Refusing to let the disappointment of the first game linger, she raised her tempo, attacked the net more assertively and forced errors at crucial moments. In a tense finish, Tanvi edged the game 23–21, levelling the match and pushing the final into a decider.
The third game was a test of endurance after more than an hour on court. Both players showed signs of fatigue, but neither was willing to yield. Ishika managed to open up a slender lead midway through the decider, and despite Tanvi’s attempts to claw her way back, the gap proved just enough. Ishika closed out the match 21–17, bringing the contest to an end after 64 minutes of intense badminton.
Progress Despite the Loss
While the defeat will sting, Tanvi’s runner-up finish represents another step forward in her steady progression. Reaching the final without dropping a game, and then pushing the title match to three tight games, highlighted her ability to sustain performance levels across multiple rounds a key requirement at higher levels of international competition.
Importantly, Tanvi’s run in Bangladesh demonstrated improvements in match management. She showed an increased willingness to adapt tactically, particularly in her semi-final and the latter stages of the final, where she varied her length and attempted to control tempo rather than engage in purely attacking exchanges.
A Positive Sign for Indian Women’s Singles
Tanvi’s silver medal also contributed to a strong overall showing for India at the tournament, which included titles in men’s singles and men’s doubles. For Indian women’s singles, performances like hers underline the depth building beneath the established names, with multiple players now consistently reaching the latter stages of International Challenge events.
As the 2025 season progresses, Tanvi Reddy’s campaign at the Bangladesh International Challenge will be viewed as a positive indicator rather than a missed opportunity. Finals are often decided by fine margins, and this experience particularly one as physically and mentally demanding as this will only add to her growth.
The challenge now will be to convert such deep runs into titles. But if her performance in Dhaka is any indication, Tanvi Reddy remains firmly on the right trajectory, combining consistency with the resilience needed to succeed on the international stage.
