Bhubaneswar : In a thrilling boost for Indian badminton, PV Sindhu overcame a frustrating season of early exits by defeating Japan’s world No. 6 Tomoka Miyazaki 21-15, 8-21, 21-17 to reach the round of 16 at the prestigious China Open 2025 Super 1000 tournament in Changzhou. The match lasted 62 minutes, with Sindhu starting strong by capturing seven consecutive points and securing a commanding 13-5 lead in the first game. Miyazaki, the 18-year-old 2022 world junior champion who had previously beaten Sindhu at the 2024 Swiss Open, mounted a fierce comeback in the second game, pulling off nine straight points to level the contest.
However, Sindhu regrouped effectively in the decider, quickly establishing a 5-1 lead and maintaining composure throughout to win the final game and the match. This victory marks a critical turnaround for Sindhu, who has endured multiple early exits in 2025 at prominent tournaments including the Indonesia Open, Singapore Open, Malaysia Masters, and the recent Super 750 Japan Open. Ranked 15th currently, Sindhu described this win as “much-awaited” and vital for her confidence and momentum going forward. She will now face fellow Indian rising star Unnati Hooda in the round of 16.
In men’s doubles, the Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, ranked world No. 15, delivered a dominant performance against Japan’s Kenya Mitsuhashi and Hiroki Okamura. In 31 minutes, Satwik-Chirag clinched a convincing 21-13, 21-9 victory, demonstrating their solid coordination and aggression, having already reached semifinals at several major tour events this season.
Meanwhile, in women’s doubles, the Indian Panda sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, faced a tough challenge and were defeated by Hong Kong’s Nga Ting Yeung Yeung and Pui Lam Yeung 12-21, 13-21, ending their campaign in the round.
Sindhu beat world No. 6 Miyazaki 21-15, 8-21, 21-17 in 62 minutes.
Sindhu’s win ended a series of early losses in 2025.
Satwik-Chirag won men’s doubles opener 21-13, 21-9 in 31 minutes.
Rutaparna-Swetaparna lost women’s doubles match 12-21, 13-21.
This performance at the China Open gives Sindhu and the Indian doubles team a strong platform to build on their season and make deeper runs in the high-profile tournament.
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