China Open: Teen Surprise for Pusarla
Indian teenager Unnati Hooda conjured up the sensational defeat of her senior compatriot Pusarla V Sindhu to make the quarterfinals of the VICTOR China Open 2025.
· BWF STAFF
For Pusarla, it was a rare defeat to another Indian player, for she has been the top Indian player since taking over from Saina Nehwal.
Hooda dominated the opening game and very nearly closed it out in two, but Pusarla showed great resolve at the end of the second game to snatch it from her young compatriot’s hands. All through, Hooda troubled her with her impeccable touch at the net, and her willingness to go for the lines on her attacking shots. The 17-year-old wasn’t deflated despite losing a close second game, and continued to dominate her opponent at the net.
The quarterfinal is her best performance at the upper end of the HSBC BWF World Tour; earlier this year, she made the semifinals of the YONEX Taipei Open, a Super 300 event.