Lakshya exits early, Aakarshi and Unnati advance

Bangkok

India had a mixed day at the Thailand Open 2025 badminton tournament. Top men’s singles player Lakshya Sen lost in the first round, while women shuttlers Aakarshi Kashyap and Unnati Hooda reached the second round with tough wins.

Lakshya was upset by Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen in a three-game match that lasted 80 minutes. After losing the first game 18-21, he bounced back 21-9 in the second. But Nguyen held his nerve in the third to win 21-17 and move on.

India’s Priyanshu Rajawat also exited early. He lost to Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in another close three-game battle: 13-21, 21-17, 16-21.

Former world number one Kidambi Srikanth failed to reach the main draw. Though he beat Sankar Subramanian in his first qualifier match, he lost to Tharun Mannepalli 21-16, 21-19 in the next.

In women’s singles, Aakarshi Kashyap won a thrilling match against Japan’s Kaoru Sugiyama, 21-16, 20-22, 22-20. Seventeen-year-old Unnati Hooda also impressed. She beat Thailand’s Thamonwan Nithiittikrai 21-14, 18-21, 23-21, saving match points before sealing the win.

However, Rakshitha Ramraj couldn’t get past eighth seed Yeo Jia Min from Singapore. She lost 18-21, 7-21 despite a strong start in the first game.

India’s women shuttlers gave hope with fighting wins, but men’s singles players faced early setbacks.