Mixed Results for India at Macau Open 2025: Lakshya Sen Progresses, Ayush Shetty Exits, Tharun Mannepalli Shocks Top Seed
Macau | July 31, 2025 — It was a day of highs and lows for Indian badminton at the Macau Open 2025, a BWF World Tour Super 300 event. While Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lakshya Sen advanced to the men’s singles quarterfinals after a thrilling three-game encounter, Ayush Shetty suffered a disappointing exit in the Round of 16. The biggest surprise came from Tharun Mannepalli, who stunned top seed Lee Cheuk Yiu in a dramatic upset.
Lakshya Sen Battles Through to Quarterfinals
Second seed Lakshya Sen had to dig deep against Indonesia’s Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in a 67-minute battle that tested both his stamina and tactical acumen. After taking the first game 21-14 with swift net play and smart smashes, Lakshya saw his opponent fight back in the second, leveling the match 14-21.
However, the 23-year-old from Almora regained control in the decider, holding off a late surge from Wardoyo to clinch it 21-17.
“I had to stay patient and play point by point. Chico is a tricky opponent, and I’m glad I could maintain composure in the third game,” said Lakshya after the match.
Lakshya, currently ranked No. 13 in the world, will next face the winner of the match between Yohanes Saut Marcellyno (Indonesia) and Zhu Xuan Chen (China) for a place in the semifinals.
Ayush Shetty Knocked Out
It was a disappointing day for Ayush Shetty, seeded seventh in the tournament, as he failed to replicate his earlier round form. The 21-year-old went down in straight games to Malaysia’s Justin Hoh, 21-18, 21-16.
Struggling to control the tempo and frequently caught out of position, Shetty couldn’t convert key moments into points. The loss highlighted his inconsistency under pressure and will be a learning experience moving forward.
"I couldn't find my rhythm today. Justin played aggressively and didn't give me room to settle," Shetty admitted.
Tharun Mannepalli Creates Biggest Upset of the Day
The biggest talking point of the day was World No. 47 Tharun Mannepalli, who pulled off a remarkable upset over top-seeded Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong.
After dropping the first game narrowly at 19-21, the 23-year-old Indian bounced back with composure and purpose. He took the next two games 21-14, 22-20 to seal the match in a little over an hour.
“Beating a top seed is always special. I focused on maintaining pressure and capitalizing on long rallies,” said Tharun, who has now reached his second Super 300 quarterfinal of the year after the German Open in February.
He will now face Hu Zhe An of China in the last eight.
Mixed Fortunes in Doubles and Women’s Singles
In mixed doubles, India’s fifth-seeded pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto faced a heartbreaking exit. Despite taking the first game, they lost to Malaysia’s Jimmy Wong and Lai Pei Jing 21-18, 17-21, 18-21 in a nail-biting contest.
In the women’s singles draw, youngster Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj displayed remarkable tenacity against second seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand. After taking the second game, she eventually succumbed 14-21, 21-18, 13-21.
All Eyes on Satwik-Chirag and Women’s Doubles Clash
Later in the evening, the focus will shift to India’s top-ranked men’s doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, seeded second. They are set to take on Japan’s Kakeru Kumagai and Hiroki Nishi in what promises to be a high-voltage encounter.
Meanwhile, in women’s doubles, Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will face the eighth-seeded Indonesian pair Meilysa Puspitasari and Rachel Rose.
Both matches are crucial for India's prospects in the latter stages of the tournament.
Historical Context: India's Super 300 Hopes
India has a mixed history at the BWF Super 300 events, with sporadic titles and consistent semifinal appearances. Lakshya Sen's rise over the last few years, including his All England Open final run in 2022, has placed him among the country’s top medal hopefuls in the build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The emergence of players like Tharun Mannepalli and Rakshitha Sree indicates the depth in India's talent pipeline, essential as veterans like Kidambi Srikanth and Saina Nehwal gradually recede from the international stage.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
India's performance at the Macau Open 2025 reflects both promise and areas needing growth. With Lakshya Sen and Tharun Mannepalli keeping India’s hopes alive in the men’s singles, and more top matches lined up, the coming days could bring more thrilling action for Indian badminton fans. Whether this momentum carries through the tournament remains to be seen, but Thursday’s results have set the stage for an exciting finish.