BAKU, Azerbaijan: Indian badminton had a memorable outing at the Azerbaijan International, with Devika Sihag delivering a dominant performance to win the women’s singles title, while Radhika Sharma partnered Sathwik Reddy Kanapuram to clinch her first-ever mixed doubles international crown.
Devika Sihag, seeded fifth, showcased excellent control and composure in the final, defeating fellow Indian Navya Kanderi 21-10, 21-13 in just 28 minutes at the Politechnic University Sports Hall. The win continued Devika’s strong run following her impressive showing at the Thailand Masters earlier this season.
On her way to the title, Devika produced consistent performances throughout the tournament. She defeated Anupama Upadhyaya 21-11, 21-14 in the quarterfinals and edged past Ashmita Chaliha 21-19, 21-19 in a competitive semifinal. Earlier, she had survived a tough three-game battle against Miranda Wilson, winning 21-18, 24-26, 21-9 to keep her campaign alive.
Reflecting on her success, Devika credited her improved mindset and preparation.
“I’ve become more patient and mentally stronger. Rest and recovery were very important after Thailand Masters,” she said, highlighting her growth and renewed focus this season.
Meanwhile, the mixed doubles final delivered high drama as Radhika Sharma and Sathwik Reddy Kanapuram pulled off a thrilling victory over third seeds Mihajlo Tomic and Andjela Vitman, winning 24-22, 10-21, 24-22 in a 62-minute nail-biter.
The Indian pair displayed remarkable resilience, saving match points and holding their nerve in the deciding game to secure the title. For Radhika Sharma — who is also known as the elder sister of Tanvi Sharma — this marked a significant milestone, earning her first international mixed doubles title and signaling her arrival on the global stage.
Their victory added another highlight to India’s growing presence in doubles badminton, underlining the country’s expanding talent pool beyond singles competition.
With Devika Sihag’s confident singles triumph and Radhika–Sathwik’s breakthrough doubles success, India’s performance in Azerbaijan serves as a promising sign for upcoming international badminton events.
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