Anupama Upadhyaya clinches Kazakhstan International Challenge title, continues impressive run

By Ajay Gandhar

Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has covered almost every Olympic sport, but Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field have his heart.

Published at :April 6, 2024 at 4:42 PM

Modified at :April 16, 2024 at 10:48 AM

(Courtesy : X (Formerly Twitter))

Fellow Indian Tharun Mannepalli won the men’s singles title, his first senior trophy.

Anupama Upadhyaya, the former Junior World No. 1, continued her impressive run by clinching the Kazakhstan International Challenge women’s singles title on Saturday at Uralsk.

Upadhyaya, who recently clinched the Polish Open, continued her merry way by defeating compatriot Isharani Baruah, ranked 90th, with a convincing 21-15, 21-16 victory in straight games. The match lasted 41 minutes and showcased Upadhyaya’s skillful net control and strategic thinking as she outplayed Baruah to secure her second title in 2024.

Her journey to the final was marked by some eye-catching wins, including a victory over the Czech Republic’s fifth seed Tereza Svabikova in the pre-quarterfinals and Japan’s Sorano Yoshikawa in the semifinals.

Since ascending to the senior level, Upadhyay has clinched four BWF International titles. Before the Kazakhstan challenger, the ex-junior champion had already secured the Polish Open twice, and other victories include Tajikistan International and the India International Challenge.

On the men’s front, Tharun Mannepalli, the national championships runner-up, won his first senior circuit title. The 22-year-old defeated the eighth-seeded Malaysian Soong Joo Ven with an impressive 21-10, 21-19 scoreline in the men’s singles final.

Trending Indian Sports articles

The mixed doubles final saw the Indian duo of Sanjai Srivatsa Dhanraj and Maneesha K put up a valiant fight but ultimately fall to Malaysia’s Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien with scores of 21-9, 7-21, 12-21.

Overall, the Indian badminton players did well at the Kazakhstan International Challenge, showing that they’re getting better and better. Especially players like Upadhyaya and Tharun are at the forefront, leading the way for India in badminton.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram

Ajay Gandhar

Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has expertise across a wide range of Olympic sports. While his coverage spans the Olympic spectrum, he is passionate about Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field. Beyond his primary focus areas, Ajay is also an avid kabaddi enthusiast and closely follows the sport.