Indian badminton fans are set for an exciting clash at the China Open as veteran PV Sindhu takes on the promising young talent, Unnati Hooda, in the Round of 16.
A Generational Clash at China Open
This Thursday, the badminton world will witness a compelling matchup between two of India’s top female shuttlers. Former world No. 2 PV Sindhu, currently ranked 15th, is set to face 17-year-old Unnati Hooda, who has been steadily climbing the ranks to become India’s No. 3, sitting at world No. 35.
Unnati has had a commendable year on the tour, proving her mettle at the senior level. She reached the semifinals at the Taipei Open and made it to the quarterfinals at the German Open, showcasing her potential against experienced international players.
Their Past Encounter: Sindhu’s Dominance
The upcoming match marks only the second time Sindhu and Unnati have faced each other on the international circuit. Their sole prior meeting was last year at the Syed Modi Super 300 tournament in Lucknow.
During that semifinal clash, Sindhu secured a decisive victory, winning 21-12, 21-9 in just 36 minutes. Unnati, reflecting on the match, described Sindhu as “quite attacking” and noted the need for “very good defense” to counter her powerful smashes.
Indian doubles legend Ashwini Ponnappa, who commentated on that match, suggested Unnati could benefit from controlling errors and keeping the shuttle in play rather than forcing winners, especially given the challenging, drifty conditions at Changzhou.
Despite the respect for her idol, Unnati maintains a focused mindset. She has stated she’s “not taking pressure to be the next Sindhu” and is committed to her “own distinct journey,” acknowledging the difficulty but embracing her unique path.
How to Watch the Action
Badminton enthusiasts can catch this highly anticipated match live. PV Sindhu versus Unnati Hooda is estimated to begin at 1:10 PM IST on Thursday.
The game will be played as the ninth match on Court 2. For those looking to stream the action, the match will be broadcast live on BWF TV’s YouTube channel, as only the first eight matches on Court 2 are slated for official broadcast.
- PV Sindhu leads the head-to-head against Unnati Hooda 1-0.
- Unnati Hooda is India’s rising badminton star, steadily climbing the world rankings.
- The match is a fascinating clash between an Olympic medalist’s experience and a young talent’s ambition.
This generational showdown promises an exciting display of skill and determination from both Indian shuttlers at the China Open.
