China Open 2025: Hooda loses to Yamaguchi in quarterfinals

Indian youngster Unnati Hooda saw her China Open Super 1000 campaign end on Friday with a straight-games loss to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the quarterfinals in Changzhou.

Third-seeded Yamaguchi, a two-time world champion, defeated the 17-year-old Hooda 21-16, 21-12 in 33 minutes to book her place in the semifinals.

“I was making so many unforced errors at times when the scores were equal. She (Yamaguchi) was very good with her drop shots and controlled the game,” said Hooda after the loss.

“I need to be more patient against her because she is really good with her defence. I can’t be in a hurry to finish the point. I should be patient to wait for the right time to attack.,” added the teenager when asked about what she learned from her first meeting with World No. 4 Yamaguchi.

Nevertheless, it was a breakthrough event for World No. 35 Hooda as she defeated World No. 29 Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland in straight games in the opening round before outlasting compatriot and two-time Olympic medallist P. V. Sindhu in a three-game battle in the round of 16.

“I am happy that I reached the quarterfinals in my first Super 1000 event but lots to learn from this tournament,” said Hooda.

Later in the day, the country’s top-ranked men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will face the Malaysian duo of Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi in the quarterfinals.