Top seed Tanvi Sharma guaranteed India a medal at the BWF World Junior Championships after storming into the women’s singles semifinals with a thrilling comeback win over Japan’s Saki Matsumoto on Friday.
The 16-year-old, who finished runner-up at the US Open Super 300 earlier this year, overcame a shaky start to defeat the left-handed Matsumoto 13-15, 15-9, 15-10 in a tense quarterfinal that showcased her grit and tactical maturity.
Tanvi Fights Back in Style
Tanvi began strongly, racing to a 10-6 lead in the opening game, but a series of unforced errors — including two costly net shots and a misjudged baseline call — allowed Matsumoto to snatch the opener 15-13.
The Indian regrouped impressively in the second, tightening her control with sharp placements and aggressive play to level the match.
In the decider, Matsumoto surged ahead 7-3, but Tanvi mounted a spirited comeback, turning the tables at 11-9 and closing out the match with a flurry of precise winners to book her semifinal berth — and India’s first medal of the tournament.
Hooda, Mixed Doubles Pair Fall Short
Meanwhile, eighth seed Unnati Hooda, India’s youngest Super 100 champion and a member of the 2022 Uber Cup squad, bowed out after a 12-15, 13-15 defeat to Thailand’s Anyapat Phichitphon in a 32-minute quarterfinal.
Hooda fought hard in both games but was undone by a few net errors and the Thai’s pinpoint cross-court smashes.
India’s mixed doubles pair Bhavya Chhabra and Vishakha Toppo also ended their campaign in the quarterfinals, losing 9-15, 7-15 to the Chinese Taipei duo Hung Bing Fu and Chou Yun An.
(with PTI inputs)
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