The results provide a much-needed boost for the Indian contingent, which faced a setback earlier in the day when Lakshya Sen was eliminated from the men's singles draw. Sen, a prominent medal hope, fell to Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew in a second-round match, leaving Shetty as the sole remaining Indian representative in the men's singles competition.
Contrasting Paths to the Pre-Quarterfinals
Ayush Shetty’s progression was remarkably efficient, as he required only 21 minutes to dismantle Kazakhstan’s Makhsut Tajibullayev. The world No. 20 maintained total control throughout the match, securing a comprehensive 21-7, 21-7 victory. This swift win allowed the Indian to conserve vital energy ahead of his upcoming pre-quarterfinal clash against Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-Chen. Shetty enters that encounter looking to improve his 1-2 head-to-head record against the experienced opponent.
In contrast, Unnati Hooda’s path to the next round was far more arduous. Facing Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching, the 25th-ranked Indian claimed the opening game 21-14 before her opponent mounted a spirited comeback. Wong edged the second game 22-20 to force a decider, setting the stage for a tense finish. The final game remained a deadlock until Hooda managed to carve out two match points at 20-18. Although the Malaysian saved one, a wayward cross-court shot on the subsequent rally confirmed a 21-19 victory for Hooda after 79 minutes of play.
Looking Ahead to the Round of 16
Following her hard-fought win, Hooda faces a significant challenge in the Round of 16 against Indonesia’s world No. 6, Putri Kusuma Wardani. The two players previously met at the 2025 Hylo Open, where the Indonesian emerged victorious. As the tournament progresses, the focus for the Indian team now shifts to these upcoming fixtures, with PV Sindhu also scheduled to compete later in the day against Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-chian.
