Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod Exit Thailand Open After Second-Round Losses

Indian shuttlers Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod bowed out of the Thailand Open on Thursday after suffering straight-game defeats in their respective second-round matches of the BWF Super 500 tournament in Bangkok.

Facing tough competition from the host nation, both young Indian players were unable to overcome their higher-ranked Thai opponents in a challenging day for India’s women’s singles contingent.

Unnati Hooda, just 17 years old and already a two-time BWF title winner with victories at the 2022 Odisha Masters and 2023 Abu Dhabi Masters, went up against tournament top seed Pornpawee Chochuwong. Despite a spirited effort, the Indian teenager was outclassed 14-21, 11-21 in a match that lasted only 39 minutes.

Chochuwong, currently ranked world number 10, controlled the tempo throughout the contest, keeping Unnati on the defensive with her precision and court coverage. While Unnati managed a few flashes of resistance in the first game, the Thai star’s dominance only grew stronger in the second.

Meanwhile, world number 23 Malvika Bansod faced an uphill battle against Ratchanok Intanon, the former world champion and fifth seed at this event. Malvika, who had impressed earlier this season with a runner-up finish at the 2024 Hylo Open, was handed a 12-21, 16-21 defeat in her second-round clash.

Intanon’s experience and superior shot variation proved too much for Malvika, who struggled to find her rhythm in the opening game. Though she showed more aggression and better court movement in the second, the Thai veteran maintained control to close out the match in straight games.

The early exits of Unnati and Malvika mark a disappointing day for Indian singles hopes at the USD 475,000 tournament, which continues to attract some of the world’s top badminton talent.

Later in the day, India’s campaign will hinge on the performances of other representatives. The women’s doubles pair of Tressa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, the men’s doubles duo Sai Pratheek and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, along with singles players Tharun Mannepalli and Aakarshi Kashyap, are all set to feature in their respective matches.

With key matches ahead, India’s remaining players will look to carry the nation’s hopes forward in the prestigious Super 500 event.