India’s badminton woes continued as top-ranked men’s singles player Lakshya Sen succumbed to another disappointing defeat, being eliminated from the Thailand Open 2025 after losing 18-21, 21-9, 17-21 to Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen. However, the Indian women’s duo of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly lived up to expectations as they beat Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting in straight sets – 21-15, 21-13.
This was Lakshya’s third first-round exit in five tournaments this season. A fairly balanced first set was tied at 11-11 before Nguyen took five points on the trot, opening up an 18-13 lead. Lakshya reeled off five consecutive points to level the game, only for his Irish opponent to claim the next three and take the set. The second set was a no-contest, as Lakshya ran riot with a nine-point spree to lead 15-6, forcing a decider with ease. In the final set, Nguyen took an early 4-3 lead and never relinquished it, despite Lakshya trying to keep it close as the two traded points. Ultimately, the top-ranked Indian’s efforts were in vain, as Nguyen held firm to secure the win and hand Lakshya another early exit on the BWF World Tour.
In the women’s singles, Aakarshi Kashyap, Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod showed grit and determination as they progressed to the second round with impressive wins. Aakarshi edged past higher-ranked Kaoru Sugiyama of Japan 21-16, 20-22, 22-20 in a hard-fought three-game encounter, while Unnati knocked out Thailand’s Thamonwan Nithiittikrai 21-14, 18-21, 23-21 in an hour-long battle. Malvika, on the other hand, defeated Turkey’s Neslihan Arin 21-12, 13-21, 21-17 to advance.
Meanwhile, R Santhosh Ramraj lost to Indonesia’s Yeo Jia Min in straight sets, 18-21, 7-21. Anupama Upadhyaya was another Indian whose campaign came to an early end, losing in straight sets, 21-11, 21-9 to former world champion and home favourite Ratchanok Intanon.
The Thai star will face another Indian in Round 2, taking on Malvika. Aakarshi will go up against fourth seed Supanida Katethong, while Unnati is set to face top seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand in the second round.