Shriyanshi Valishetty Claims First BWF Super 100 Title After Thrilling Comeback Win

In a thrilling all-Indian showdown at the USD 120,000 Al Ain Masters BWF Super 100 tournament—the only such event in the Middle East—young shuttler Shriyanshi Valishetty etched her name in Indian badminton history by clinching her first international title on October 5, 2025, in Al Ain, UAE. The 18-year-old from Telangana, training under the guidance of legendary coach Pullela Gopichand at his academy in Hyderabad, displayed nerves of steel in the 49-minute final, rallying from a game down to triumph over 20-year-old Tasnim Mir with a score of 15-21, 22-20, 21-7. This victory not only marks Valishetty's breakthrough on the global stage but also highlights the depth of emerging talent in Indian women's badminton, with around 300 shuttlers from 38 nations competing in the second edition of this prestigious event.

The summit clash began with Tasnim asserting dominance in the opening game, capitalizing on Valishetty's early lead of 8-4 to surge ahead 14-9 and eventually claim it 21-15. Valishetty, ranked outside the world's top 100 but showing immense promise, faced a stern test against the more experienced Mir, a former BWF World Junior standout known for her aggressive baseline play. However, the teenager's resilience shone through in the second game, where she overcame an initial 1-4 deficit to build leads of 8-5 and later 17-14.

Tasnim mounted a fierce comeback, forcing errors and keeping the score razor-close, but Valishetty's composure under pressure clinched the frame 22-20, leveling the match and setting up a decisive third game. This neck-and-neck battle underscored the high stakes, as both players vied for crucial ranking points and prize money in line with BWF's Super 100 regulations.

Momentum swung decisively in Valishetty's favor in the decider, where she unleashed a dominant performance. After Tasnim edged ahead 6-5, the Telangana shuttler responded with a breathtaking 15-point surge, overwhelming her opponent with precise smashes, deft net play, and unerring footwork to seal the game 21-7. This commanding finish not only ended Tasnim's spirited resistance but also propelled Valishetty to the top of the women's singles draw, earning her 5,000 BWF ranking points and a share of the USD 9,000 winner's purse. The final, witnessed by a global audience, exemplified the rising caliber of Indian shuttlers, following an all-Indian semifinal lineup where Valishetty had earlier dispatched Indonesia's Chiara Marvella Handoyo 21-11, 21-12 in straight games.

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Valishetty's path to the final was marked by consistent upsets, showcasing her rapid ascent since turning professional. A product of the Pullela Gopichand Academy, she has credited her training regimen—focusing on endurance, tactical acumen, and mental toughness—for her growth. This title win, her first at the Super 100 level, catapults her into the spotlight ahead of key events like the Indonesia Masters and European Championships, potentially boosting her world ranking significantly.

For Tasnim Mir, the runner-up finish offers valuable experience, having battled through a three-game semifinal against Denmark's Neslihan Arin to reach her maiden Super 100 final. Meanwhile, the men's singles saw Malaysia's Aidil Sholeh upset India's former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth in the semifinals, adding to the tournament's narrative of emerging talents challenging established stars.

As the Al Ain Masters concludes its second edition, Valishetty's triumph serves as an inspiring beacon for young athletes in India, reinforcing the nation's stronghold in badminton. Organized by the UAE Badminton Federation and sanctioned by the BWF, the event distributed a total prize pool of USD 110,000, underscoring its growing stature on the World Tour calendar. With this victory, Shriyanshi Valishetty joins the ranks of prodigious Indian talents like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, signaling a bright future for the sport in the country as it eyes Olympic glory in 2028.

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