Karthikeya Gulshan Kumar steals the show the Yonex-Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100 to advance to Quarter Finals
Yonex-Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100 badminton tournament was marked with some prolific results on Thursday. India’s Karthikeya Gulshan Kumar delivered a remarkable performance, upsetting fifth-seeded Mads Christophersen of Denmark in straight games to secure a spot in the men’s singles quarterfinals.
Karthikeya Gulshan Kumar vs Mads Christophersen in Yonex-Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100
Karthikeya Gulshan Kumar defeated the fifth-seeded Mads Christophersen of Denmark in straight games, securing a spot in the men’s singles quarterfinals. The 23-year-old executed a strategic game plan, preventing his opponent, ranked 82 places above him, from taking the offensive at the Sarusajai stadium.
The opening game was closely contested, with the lead changing several times until Karthikeya secured five straight points, turning the score from 12-15 down to 17-15. Despite Christophersen leveling the scores at 17-17, the Delhi-based Indian shuttler launched an offensive to clinch the game.
In the second game, Karthikeya maintained control, preventing his Danish opponent from taking the lead at any stage, ultimately winning 21-18, 21-15 in 36 minutes. His next challenge will be against Malaysia’s Cheam June Wei, who defeated Subhankar Dey 21-15, 21-15 in the third-round clash.
Other results in Yonex-Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100
The Indian men’s doubles duo, Achutaditya Rao and Venkata Harsha Vardhan showcased their prowess with a win over fourth-seeded Wei Chun Wei and Wu Guan Xun of Chinese Taipei. Another Indian pair, Hariharan Amsakarunan, and Ruban Kumar saved two match points to defeat third-seeded Pharanyu Kaosamaang and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga.
In the women’s singles event, Malvika Bansod advanced by defeating compatriot Tanya Hemanth. Notably, the standout performer of the day was Karthikeyan, who executed a well-planned strategy against his opponent from Denmark. The 23-year-old dominated the match, securing a victory in straight games.
Unnati Hooda also showed promise but ultimately lost to third-seeded Sung Shou Yun of Chinese Taipei. Aakarshi Kashyap and Samiya Imad Farooqi fought bravely but were defeated in the pre-quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, national champion Mithun Manjunath, Sameer Verma, and world junior bronze medallist Ayush Shetty were eliminated in the round of 16 in the men’s singles category. In women’s doubles, second-seeded pair Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto secured a spot in the quarters with a convincing win over Hooda and Palak Arora.
