Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 25: India’s rising badminton sensation Unnati Hooda bowed out of the China Open Super 1000 after a straight-game defeat to world number 4 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the quarterfinals on Friday.

The 17-year-old, who created waves after defeating her idol and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu on Thursday, couldn’t replicate the same magic against the Japanese star. Hooda lost 16-21, 12-21 in a match that lasted just 33 minutes, bringing an end to India’s singles campaign in the tournament.

In the first game, Hooda showed promise and matched Yamaguchi early on. But the Japanese shuttler took control with a five-point burst that helped her seal the opener. Hooda’s best response was a run of three consecutive points.

The second game unfolded in similar fashion. Though Hooda briefly mounted a comeback with four straight points, Yamaguchi's experience shone through as she pocketed six successive points to wrap up the match.

Yamaguchi won 42 of the 70 points played overall, stamping her authority on the contest.

Hooda’s campaign, however, will be remembered for her stunning upset over Sindhu in the pre-quarters, where she triumphed 21-16, 19-21, 21-13—marking the biggest win of her young career.

Meanwhile, all eyes will now be on India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, as they gear up to face Malaysia’s Yew Sin Ong and Ee Yi Teo in their quarterfinal clash later in the day.