The ongoing 85th Yonex-Sunrise Senior National Badminton Championships in Guwahati witnessed the continuation of dominant performances from top seeds on Friday. The spotlight remained firmly on the women's singles top seed, Tanvi Sharma, and the men's singles second seed, Rounak M, as both players powered their way into the semifinals with commanding victories.
Tanvi Sharma's Commanding March Continues
Tanvi Sharma, the tournament favourite, displayed her class and composure as she breezed past her opponent to secure a spot in the final four. The talented shuttler from Karnataka has been in formidable form throughout the competition, dropping very few games and living up to her top billing. Her tactical play and powerful smashes have proven too much for her challengers so far.
Tanvi's journey to the semifinals has been marked by consistent and dominant performances, making her one of the strongest contenders for the coveted national title. Her focus now shifts to the penultimate hurdle, where she will aim to book her place in the championship match.
Rounak M Storms Into Men's Semifinals
In the men's singles draw, second seed Rounak M also continued his impressive run. Rounak showcased a blend of aggressive attack and solid defence to overcome his quarterfinal challenger. His victory was a statement of intent, reinforcing his status as a prime candidate for the men's singles crown.
The competition at the Senior Badminton Nationals in Guwahati has been intense, with Rounak navigating a tough field. His ability to maintain high intensity and close out matches efficiently has been a key feature of his campaign thus far.
Other Notable Results and Upcoming Clashes
While Tanvi and Rounak stole the headlines, action continued across other categories. In the women's doubles, the pair of Simran Singhi and Khushi Gupta kept their medal hopes alive by progressing to the next round. Their coordinated play and understanding on court have been effective assets.
However, the day also saw some notable exits. The experienced doubles specialist, Arathi Sara Sunil, faced defeat alongside her partner Ritika Thaker in a closely fought women's doubles encounter. The mixed doubles pair of Hemanagendra Babu and Kanika Kanwal also bowed out of the tournament, ending their campaign in Guwahati.
The stage is now set for thrilling semifinal clashes across all categories. As the tournament reaches its business end, the matches promise high-quality badminton with national titles and prestige on the line. All eyes will be on the top seeds to see if they can handle the mounting pressure and advance to the finals.
The 85th edition of the nationals has once again highlighted the depth of talent in Indian badminton. Young players are seizing the opportunity to make a mark on the national stage, while established names are fighting to defend their status. The final weekend in Guwahati is poised to deliver spectacular sporting drama.
