India’s rapidly rising badminton talent Sankar Saraswat delivered a breakthrough performance on Sunday, overcoming the experienced Mithun Manjunath to win the men’s singles title at the Guwahati Masters 2025. Competing at the National Centre of Excellence, Sankar prevailed 21-11, 17-21, 21-13 in a hard-fought all-Indian final that showcased his composure, endurance and growing stature on the domestic and international circuit.
The Jodhpur-born shuttler’s triumph was made even more remarkable by his path to the championship. Having entered the tournament through the qualifying rounds, Sankar steadily built momentum throughout the week. His most notable win before the final came in the second round, where he upset Syed Modi Open champion Jason Gunawan, a result that hinted at the form and confidence he would carry into the title match.
Against Manjunath, one of the country’s seasoned campaigners, Sankar started with a dominant opening game, using sharp placement and early control to secure a 21-11 lead. Manjunath fought back in the second game, tightening his net play and extending rallies to level the contest. But Sankar responded impressively in the decider, regaining his attacking rhythm and pulling away to seal the championship 21-13.
While Sankar’s victory provided a high point for Indian supporters, the day saw two other finalists fall short in their title bids. World junior champion Tanvi Sharma, seeded eighth, put up a spirited fight in the women’s singles final but lost 21-18, 21-18 to Chinese Taipei’s sixth seed Tung Ciou-Tong. Despite the defeat, Tanvi displayed consistency and maturity throughout the tournament, reinforcing her status as one of India’s most promising young shuttlers.
In the men’s doubles final, Malaysia’s duo of Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai proved too strong for India’s Sai Pratheek K and Pruthvi Roy. The Malaysian pair claimed a 21-13, 21-18 straight-games victory, denying the Indian combination a title after an impressive run to the final.
Sankar Saraswat’s landmark win, however, ensured the tournament ended on an uplifting note for Indian badminton, marking the arrival of a new contender capable of challenging the nation’s best.
