Indian badminton marked a historic day at the Hylo Open 2025 as Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and Kiran George advanced to the men’s singles quarterfinals, making it only the fourth time in history that three Indian shuttlers have reached the last eight of a BWF Super Series or World Tour event and just the second time this has happened outside India.
The feat, achieved on foreign soil at a BWF Super 500 tournament, underscores not only the depth emerging in India’s men’s singles program but also its growing global competitiveness across conditions and continents.
The collective success of Sen, Shetty, and George represents a defining moment in India’s badminton trajectory. For years, the nation’s progress in men’s singles revolved around individual brilliance first Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand, then the generation of Srikanth Kidambi, HS Prannoy, and Lakshya Sen. But the Hylo Open marks a visible shift: India’s bench strength has evolved into a multi-player force capable of simultaneously challenging the world’s best.
According to BWF data, this is only the fourth instance of three Indian men reaching a World Tour quarterfinal together following previous occurrences at domestic events like the India Open but only the second-ever outside India, after a similar achievement in Southeast Asia several years ago. The context makes it special: competing away from home, under unfamiliar European conditions, and facing both seasoned Asian champions and rising European stars, the Indian trio proved their adaptability and technical maturity on neutral ground.
The Tournament’s Significance
The Hylo Open, held annually in Saarbrücken, is a Super 500 event on the BWF World Tour. It offers 5,040 ranking points for quarterfinalists and over $475,000 in prize money valuable incentives for players chasing year-end ranking improvements.
For young players like Ayush Shetty (World No. 31) and Kiran George (World No. 38), such performances are crucial to breaking into the world’s top 25 the zone that guarantees direct entry into higher-tier Super 750 and Super 1000 tournaments. Late-season events like Hylo are particularly important for athletes targeting better seeding and qualification into the 2026 BWF World Tour Finals. For India, having three players still alive at this stage signals a strong finish to the 2025 campaign.
Lakshya Sen (World No. 17) The Anchor of Consistency
The former Hylo Open champion reaffirmed his comfort in German conditions. After what has been a mixed season, Lakshya Sen produced his best badminton in months, beginning with a superb upset of defending champion Christo Popov in the opening round. Sen won 21–16, 22–20 against the in-form Frenchman, who had just reached the final of the French Open Super 750.
He followed it up with a composed 21–14, 21–11 win over compatriot Sankar Subramanian, sealing his place in the quarterfinals. Sen’s controlled aggression and disciplined court coverage have returned at the right time. His ability to handle sustained pressure and adapt tactically remains India’s stabilizing presence in big tournaments. He next faces World No. 8 Alex Lanier, a rematch of their Denmark Open clash earlier this month a match Sen will aim to reverse after losing in straight games there.
Ayush Shetty (World No. 31) The Breakout Star
If Sen brought stability, Ayush Shetty brought electricity. The 20-year-old Bengaluru shuttler has been India’s story of the tournament, delivering one of the year’s biggest upsets by thrashing 2021 World Champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore 21–11, 21–11 in just 34 minutes.
That performance his second straight win over Loh after defeating him earlier this season showcased maturity and command rarely seen in players his age. Shetty’s sharp net control, attacking clarity, and ability to maintain tempo throughout rallies left the former world champion visibly frustrated.
Before that, Shetty survived a testing opener against Canada’s Victor Lai, winning 21–11, 4–21, 21–18. The progression through contrasting matches a grind followed by a masterclass highlights his growing versatility and mental composure. He now meets Finland’s Kalle Koljonen, a left-handed tactician who stunned World No. 6 Chou Tien-chen in the previous round. Their encounter promises an intriguing battle between Koljonen’s deceptive angles and Shetty’s precision and intensity.
Given Shetty’s efficiency and confidence, it’s a real opportunity for India to secure a semifinal berth.
Kiran George (World No. 38) – The Fighter’s Spirit
Kiran George’s campaign has been a story of persistence and nerve. The 24-year-old opened with a significant win over senior compatriot Kidambi Srikanth, triumphing 21–19, 21–11 in what felt like a symbolic “passing of the torch.”
In the Round of 16, he faced a stern test against World No. 13 Toma Junior Popov, coming from behind to win 18–21, 21–18, 21–19 after trailing 6–11 in the decider. The match lasted 69 minutes a test of endurance and resolve that showcased George’s evolving mental toughness.
Kiran George storms into Hylo Open 2025 quarterfinals with a stunning comeback win!
This is George’s first Super 500 quarterfinal outside India, building on his consistent results through the season. He next faces World No. 5 Jonatan Christie, the Indonesian second seed and one of the fittest, most relentless players on tour. George will enter as the underdog, but his fighting spirit ensures he won’t be out of contention easily.
The triple qualification marks more than just an exceptional week it reflects a structural shift in Indian badminton. For the first time, India has three men inside the world’s top 40 who are all capable of beating top-15 opponents on any surface.
The days of relying on one or two “flag-bearers” seem to be giving way to a more balanced, competitive core a group that includes Sen’s experience, Shetty’s athletic flair, and George’s resilience. This depth adds strategic unpredictability for future team events and enhances India’s standing across the BWF circuit. The milestone also validates the country’s player development ecosystem from the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy to the Gopichand Academy and national high-performance programs that have nurtured different playing styles and mindsets.
As the Hylo Open reaches its final stages, India’s triple presence in the quarterfinals carries both immediate and long-term promise. Ayush Shetty’s fearless rise symbolizes the next wave. Lakshya Sen remains India’s established world-level performer. And Kiran George, by breaking through in Europe, has proven he belongs on the big stage.
No matter how far each progresses, this week in Saarbrücken has already rewritten a chapter in Indian badminton one that shows a new generation capable not just of participating, but of contending at the highest level.
Photo: BWF | Event: Hylo Open 2025, Saarbrücken
