Unnati Hooda faced Indonesia’s top seed and World No. 7, Putri Kusuma Wardani.

Germany witnessed a mix of excitement and heartbreak for Indian badminton fans as 18-year-old Unnati Hooda’s remarkable run at the Hylo Open 2025 came to an end in the women’s singles semifinals.

Facing Indonesia’s top seed Putri Kusuma Wardani, Unnati was unable to progress further, losing 7-21, 13-21 in a match that lasted just 35 minutes.

Wardani, a 23-year-old World Championships bronze medallist, set the tone early with aggressive play, establishing a commanding lead in both games and keeping Unnati on the defensive throughout.

Despite flashes of resilience in the second game, the Indian teen could not overturn the momentum her opponent had built.

Wardani has established herself as one of Asia’s most consistent performers, currently ranked World No. 7. The Indonesian won her first BWF World Tour title at just 18 at the 2021 Spain Masters and has since claimed multiple titles, including the Orleans Masters and Czech Open.

Her 2025 season has been particularly strong, reaching the semifinals at the World Championships, where she notably defeated India’s PV Sindhu in the quarterfinals. This showcases the quality of opposition Unnati faced in the Hylo Open semifinals.

Reaching the semifinals of a BWF Super 500 event marks Unnati’s best performance at this level, signaling her growing presence on the world stage.

Earlier this year, she made waves at the Super 1000 China Open with wins over Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu before bowing out to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the quarterfinals.

Unnati has also been a vital part of India’s youth success, contributing to the historic bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships in Guwahati.

While she exited the singles event in the quarterfinals, her consistency across tournaments has demonstrated her potential against the top international players.

Also Read: Full list of players who have already qualified for BWF World Tour Finals 2025

The HYLO Open proved challenging for India’s contingent overall, with most shuttlers falling at the quarterfinal stage. Lakshya Sen was eliminated in the men’s singles quarters, while Anmol Kharb’s campaign ended at the same stage in women’s singles.

Unnati’s semifinal appearance nonetheless provided a bright spot for Indian badminton, demonstrating the teenager’s potential as she continues to compete against the world’s elite players.

Her performance in Germany suggests she is steadily climbing the ranks and gaining valuable experience at the highest levels of the sport.

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