NEW DELHI : World Junior Championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma and rising talent Manraj Singh lit up the Syed Modi International on Thursday with two of the tournament’s biggest upsets, knocking out former world champion Nozomi Okuhara and 2023 World Championships bronze medallist HS Prannoy to reach the quarterfinals.
Tanvi, just 16, showcased remarkable grit and maturity as she rallied from a game down to outclass second seed Okuhara 13-21, 21-16, 21-19 in a gripping 59-minute battle. The young Indian, who had earlier reached the US Open Super 300 final this year, produced one of the finest wins of her budding career.
Soon after, 19-year-old Manraj stunned the home crowd and the men’s singles field by dismantling Prannoy in straight games. His sharp, fearless play powered him to a commanding 21-15, 21-18 victory in just 43 minutes, sending shockwaves through the draw and establishing him as a name to watch.
With these statement wins, India’s next generation has taken centre stage, signalling a thrilling shift in the nation’s badminton landscape.
