New Delhi: Anupama Upadhyaya triumphed in the clash between two emerging womens singles talents while Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat gave their all against much higher-ranked opponents. Despite their strong efforts both players were unfortunate to fall short in the opening round of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2025 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall on Wednesday. Malvika fought off two game points in the first game and made a remarkable comeback from 7-14 to 16-16 in the second game against Chinas third seed in womens singles Han Yue. However she eventually lost 20-22 21-16 21-11 after an intense hour and six minutes. Rajawat on the other hand saved a match point in the second game to push his match against the 2023 World Championships silver medallist and sixth seed Kodai Naraoka to a decider. Despite his efforts he fell short 21-16 22-20 21-13 in a contest that lasted an hour and 22 minutes at the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament. In an all-Indian encounter Anupama and Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj both academy mates faced off in a tactical duel with experience prevailing over youth. Former national champion Anupama engaged Rakshitha in long rallies limiting her chances to unleash powerful smashes and won 21-17 21-18 in 43 minutes to reach the second round. Anupama will now meet Japans sixth seed Tomaka Miyazaki who bounced back from a slump in the second game to defeat Thailand’s Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-7 22-24 21-9 in the first round. Also advancing to the next round were the seventh-seeded womens doubles team of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto the Panda sisters Rutuparna and Swetaparna Panda and the mixed doubles duo of Ashith Surya and Amruta Pramuthesh. Ashwini and Tanisha won 21-11 21-12 against compatriots Kavya Gupta and Radhika Sharma while the Panda sisters triumphed 7-21 21-19 21-14 over Thai pair Phattarin Aiamvareesrisakul and Sarisa Janpeng. Ashith and Amruta overcame K Tarun and Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli 21-14 21-15 to progress to the second round of mixed doubles. However the heartbreaking losses of Malvika and Rajawat left Indian badminton fans in shock as both players fought valiantly. Malvika who had been defeated by Han Yue in straight games the previous week in Malaysia started strong but was unable to maintain her momentum after a late-stage rally by the Chinese player. Despite saving two game points Malvika lost the second game and Hans experience proved crucial in the final decider. In the mens singles Rajawat showcased impressive stroke play and powerful smashes making Naraoka work for every point. The Indian even forced the sixth seed into errors particularly at match point in the second game. However it was Naraokas experience that ultimately decided the match in his favour. HS Prannoys comeback attempt was also halted by Su Li Yang with the 32-year-old Indian succumbing 16-21 21-18 21-12 in an hour and 13 minutes. Important Results: Mens singles: Loh Kean Yew (Sin) bt Chia Hao Lee (Tpe) 21-15 22-20; 6-Kodai Naroaka (Jpn) bt Priyanshu Rajawat 21-16 20-22 21-13; 2-Jonathan Christie (Ina) bt Wang Tzu Wei (Tpe) 21-18 21-15; Su Li Yang (Tpe) bt HS Prannoy (Ind) 16-21 21-18 21-12. Womens singles: 8-Pornpawee Chochuwong (Tha) bt Aakarshi Kashyap (Ind) 21-17 21-13 6-Tomaka Miyazaki (Jpn) bt Pornpicha Choeikeewong (Tha) 21-7 22-24 21-9 Anupama Upadhyaya (Ind) bt Rakshita Sree SR (Ind) 21-17 21-18; 3-Han Yue (Chn) bt Malvika Bansod (Ind) 20-22 21-16 21-11; 1-An Se Young (Kor) bt Chiu Pin-Chian (Tpe) 22-20 21-15 Mens doubles: Ben Lane/Sean Vendy (Eng) bt Chaynit Joshi/Mayank Rana (Ind) 21-8 21-14; 2-Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (Chn) bt Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi (Mas) 21-12 19-21 21-15 Womens doubles: Rutuparna Panda/Swetparna Panda (Ind) bt Phattarin Aiamvareesrisakul/Sarisa Janpeng (Tha) 7-21 21-19 21-14; 7-Ashwini Ponnappa/Tanisha Crasto (Ind) bt Kavya Gupta/Radhika Sharma (Ind) 21-11 21-12; Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong (Kor) bt Mansa Rawat/Gayatri Rawat (Ind) 21-7 21-3 Mixed doubles: 4-Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie (Mas) bt Rinov Rivaldy/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati (Ina) 21-17 21-17; Ashith Surya/Amruta Pramuthesh (Ind) bt K Tarun/Sri Priya Krishna Kudaravalli 21-14 21-15