Exhibiting a return to form, Sameer Verma caused a major upset by defeating third-seeded Kiran George in straight games during the Yonex Sunrise Guwahati Masters Super 100 badminton tournament. Meanwhile, Aakarshi Kashyap displayed resilience, saving a match point to secure victory against Denmark’s Amalie Schulz and secure a spot in the pre-quarterfinals.
Verma, grappling with injuries recently, dominated the match against Kiran, winning 21-13, 21-13 in a convincing 32-minute encounter. This victory signals Verma’s potential return to his best form, marking a significant milestone in his journey to overcome recent setbacks.
In the women’s singles category, Aakarshi Kashyap faced a tough challenge from Amalie Schulz but managed a comeback triumph, clinching the match 15-21, 21-17, 22-20. Kashyap showcased nerves of steel, saving a crucial match point at 19-20 and securing two consecutive points to set up a second-round clash against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Sih yun.
Women’s singles players Ira Sharma and Tanya Hemanth also shone in the tournament by defeating their Malaysian opponents. Ira made a comeback to defeat Wong Ling Ching 17-21, 21-17, 21-12, while Tanya secured a notable win against top Malaysian star Kisona Selvaduray with a score of 21-16, 15-21, 21-16. The two Indian players now move on to face challenging opponents in the Round of 16.
Men’s National champion Mithun Manjunath and junior world championships bronze medallist Ayush Shetty showcased their prowess with contrasting wins. Mithun, seeded 7th, defeated Hemanth Gowda 21-14, 21-10, while Shetty secured a hard-fought victory against Indonesia’s Jason Alexander with a scoreline of 21-12, 14-21, 21-17.
The marquee match of the day featured a clash between two players from different generations and styles, with Sameer Verma emerging victorious at 29 years old. The win is a testament to Verma’s skill and resilience, making a strong statement in the badminton circuit.
Sameer Verma’s victory over Kiran George signals a promising comeback for the experienced player, adding an exciting element to the tournament.
