Changzhou

Indian shuttler Malvika Bansod made headlines at the China Open by reaching her first BWF Super 1000 quarterfinal. In a gripping match lasting over an hour, Malvika, ranked 43rd in the world, triumphed over Scotland’s Kristy Gilmour with scores of 21-17, 19-21, 21-16. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the 22-year-old, who is now among the top eight in a major Super 1000 event.

This is the greatest achievement of my career so far. I had always dreamed of reaching the quarterfinals, and now I’m thrilled to be here, Malvika said in an interview with Olympics.com. Reflecting on the match, she noted the challenging conditions, including a strong drift that made shuttle control difficult. Despite these hurdles, she expressed gratitude for the support she received.

This win follows another notable victory where Malvika defeated Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, a bronze medallist from the Paris Olympics. She credited her success to improved physical strength and enhanced game control, crucial for competing in high-level tournaments.

Malvika is set to face Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, a two-time world champion and the fourth seed, in the quarterfinals. I’ve come close to beating her before. I’m in good form and will give my all for a chance to advance, she concluded.