Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable display of resilience, unseeded Indian shuttler Tharun Mannepalli achieved one of the biggest upsets of the Arctic Open 2025 by defeating world No. 14 Toma Junior Popov of France. The 22-year-old from Hyderabad showcased exceptional composure, recovering from a first-game loss and saving four match points to secure a 11-21, 21-11, 22-20 victory in a 68-minute thriller .
This victory propels Mannepalli into the pre-quarterfinals, where he will face world No. 18 Koki Watanabe of Japan for a spot in the last eight. His performance not only keeps India’s men’s singles hopes alive but also highlights his potential on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen’s challenging season continued as he suffered another early exit, losing 15-21, 17-21 to fifth seed and world No. 11 Kodai Naraoka of Japan. This marks his 10th first-round defeat of the season, underscoring the need for a strategic reassessment as he prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Mannepalli’s victory serves as a beacon of hope for Indian badminton, demonstrating that with determination and skill, upsets are always within reach.
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