They were 0-7 against this Malaysian pair before they won a couple against them. Lost to them again in the Olympics and then again here. So this isn’t a good match up for them for some reason.
Time for Malavika to pickup mantle from Sindhu. Kiran,Rajawat and Malavika for some reason have not progressed in draws so far in 2025. Kiran and Malavika are playing this week in Indonesia Super 1000, hoping one of them can surprise us...esp counting on Malavika as she is 22 ranked.
Unfortunately Malavika had a fall during match and retired.
She was playing against WR13 player and won the 1st set 21-16 and leading the 2nd set 16-15 when she got injured.
Lakshya Sen also lost in the first round (his fifth consecutive loss) but played competitively in a 11-21, 22-20, 15-21 loss to #1 YQ Shi. Prannoy also loses in the first round.
Sindhu beat Okuhara and makes R-16.
In MenD, Satwik-Chirag win in 3 games against #9 Indonesians, so they are back to playing well but likely face #3 Chia and Soh in R-16.
So still waiting on our first BWF tour win this year. No players in the top 10 either for the first time since 2009. No medals won at the Olympics/WC for the first time since 2010.
Yes, the only event that is looking somewhat promising right now is womens singles with youngsters like Unnati, Malvika, Rakhsita etc begining to challenge top 10 level players. But, it remains to be see if any of them can come up to Saina/Sindhu level.
In mens singles, Lakshya Sen is tottering after a good Olympics campaign ( which ended badly though), Priyanshu, Kiran etc are stuck outside top 30 ( don't know how they are ranked still that high with series of early losses). Only ray of hope is 20 year old Ayush Shetty.
In mens doubles, nothing beyond Satchi.
We have 3 good womens doubles players- Tresa, Gayatri and Tanisha but nothing beyond them as of now.
Things not looking good at all for regaining our at least 1 medal per WC/Olympics level back.