Tanvi Sharma continued her impressive rise on the BWF circuit as the young Indian shuttler booked her place in the women’s singles final of the Guwahati Masters 2025, producing one of her most convincing performances of the season.
Tanvi defeated higher-ranked Hina Akechi of Japan 21-18, 21-16 in the semi-finals to set up a title clash against Tung Ciou-Tong of Chinese Taipei.
The victory carried extra significance. Just a week earlier, Tanvi had gone down to Akechi in the semi-finals of the Syed Modi International, struggling to find answers to the Japanese player’s unconventional rhythm and change of pace. In Guwahati, however, Tanvi returned better prepared, tactically sharper, and far more assertive, turning the tables with authority.
From the opening rally, Tanvi showed she had learned from her recent defeat. Instead of allowing Akechi to dictate tempo through deceptive strokes and variations, the Indian controlled the rallies with depth, sharper net play, and improved shot selection. Her ability to stay patient and wait for the right openings proved crucial, particularly during tight passages in both games.
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The first game saw a closely fought contest until the mid-game interval, with Tanvi edging ahead 11-9. Akechi attempted to disrupt the momentum with sudden changes in pace, but Tanvi responded maturely, maintaining her structure and refusing to be drawn into low-percentage shots. Closing out the game 21-18, she carried the confidence into the second.
In the second game, Tanvi raised her level further. Her movement looked freer, her attack more decisive, and she gradually built a lead that Akechi found hard to claw back. Winning 21-16, Tanvi sealed the match in straight games, a marked contrast to the closely fought encounter at Syed Modi.
Tanvi’s run to the final has been built on resilience and mental toughness, highlighted by several pressure-filled moments earlier in the tournament. In the quarter-finals, she produced a remarkable comeback against Passa-Orn Phannachet, digging herself out of seemingly impossible situations in the second game.
Trailing 9-14, then 12-18, 14-19, and even facing match point at 17-20, Tanvi held her nerve to win the game 23-21 and close out the match 21-17, 23-21. That comeback proved to be a defining moment in her campaign, reinforcing her belief and momentum heading into the business end of the tournament.
In the earlier rounds, Tanvi had also overcome Tanya Hemanth in a high-quality contest, winning 21-17, 27-25 to reach the semi-finals. That match tested her endurance and focus, especially in a prolonged second game, but Tanvi emerged stronger, demonstrating her improved ability to close out tight encounters.
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Beating Hina Akechi, the Syed Modi International champion, is a major statement. Akechi’s game is built around deception, awkward angles, and variations that often trouble attacking players. Tanvi’s ability to neutralise those strengths in Guwahati showed not just technical growth, but also tactical adaptability a critical trait for sustained success at the international level.
Observers have long felt that Tanvi has the tools to trouble “unconventional” shuttlers, and her performance in the semi-final reinforced that belief. Where she struggled to impose herself in Lucknow the previous week, she did so with confidence in Guwahati, dictating play rather than reacting.
Awaiting Tanvi in the final is Tung Ciou-Tong of Chinese Taipei, another opponent with a contrasting style and solid court coverage. The final promises to be a stern test, but Tanvi enters it with confidence, form, and momentum firmly on her side. A title at the Guwahati Masters would represent a significant milestone in Tanvi Sharma’s career, adding tangible reward to a week that has already showcased her growth as a competitor. More importantly, it would cap a tournament where she has demonstrated resilience, tactical awareness, and an ability to learn quickly from recent setbacks.
As Tanvi steps onto court for the final, India will be watching closely. With her eyes firmly set on the title, the Guwahati Masters could well mark another important chapter in the rise of one of Indian badminton’s brightest young prospects.
