New Delhi [India]: Former champion PV Sindhu and late entrant Kiran George registered hard-fought victories in the opening round of the India Open 2025 badminton tournament at the KD Jadhav Hall, New Delhi, as per the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
Sindhu’s Resilient Start
Playing her first tournament since her marriage in December, Sindhu overcame Sung Shuo Yun of Chinese Taipei in a challenging match, winning 21-14, 22-20 in 51 minutes.
Despite struggling with rhythm early on, the world no. 16 showcased her composure, especially after dropping four game points from 20-10 in the second set. Sindhu now faces Japan’s Manami Suizu in the second round.
“After a long break, it’s always difficult to find the rhythm, but I am happy to have won the match in straight games,” Sindhu remarked post-match.
Kiran George’s Epic Battle
Kiran George, who entered the competition at the last minute, outlasted Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in a nail-biting encounter, clinching a 21-19, 14-21, 27-25 victory. The decider witnessed intense back-and-forth action as Kiran saved three match points before sealing the win.
“I was hoping for the last-minute entry and prepared well. Handling pressure situations has been a focus area in my training, and it paid off today,” said Kiran, who now awaits the winner between Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn and France’s Alex Lanier.
Mixed Doubles Comeback
Indian duo Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto staged an impressive comeback against Chinese Taipei’s Chen Cheng Kuan and Hsu Yin-Hui, securing an 8-21, 21-19, 21-17 victory after a rocky start.
“In the first game, we couldn’t adapt to the conditions, but we adjusted our strategy in the second and third games, which made the difference,” said Kapila.
Upsets and Highlights
- Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao stunned Chinese fifth seed Li Shi Feng in a three-game thriller: 18-21, 21-17, 21-17.
- In women’s singles, Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min saved two match points to defeat Vietnam’s Thuy Linh Nguyen: 19-21, 22-20, 21-5.
- India’s Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand bowed out after a close contest against Japan’s Arisa Igarashi and Ayako Sakuramoto: 21-23, 19-21.
The tournament continues to deliver thrilling matches, setting the stage for high-stakes action in the coming rounds.