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The day of the quarterfinals at the BWF China Open 2024 saw Indian badminton star Malvika Bansod’s incredible run come to an end. The 23-year-old from Nagpur went down to two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi 10-21, 16-21 on Friday, September 20, marking the end of India's campaign in the prestigious Super 1000 tournament.
Despite the loss, Bansod’s quarterfinal appearance is significant, as she became only the third Indian woman after PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal to reach the last eight of a BWF Super 1000 event.
A closer look at the quarterfinal match between Malvika Bansod and Akane Yamaguchi at the BWF China Open 2024
The match began with Yamaguchi taking the first three points to set up an early lead, but Bansod caught up and trailed by just one point at 2-3 before Yamaguchi found her rhythm and surged ahead.
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The Japanese shuttler dominated the first game, taking a commanding nine-point lead at 14-5, leaving Bansod with few opportunities to close the gap. Yamaguchi continued her dominance and sealed the opening game 21-10.
The second game saw a stronger start from Bansod, as she briefly led 4-2. However, Yamaguchi quickly responded, and after a one-point difference at 7-8, the Japanese shuttler took control.
She won three consecutive points to lead 11-7 at the mid-game interval and continued to build on that advantage. Despite a brief comeback from Bansod at 11-19, Yamaguchi maintained her lead and closed out the match 21-16, winning in just 35 minutes.
While Bansod's quarterfinal loss to Yamaguchi marks the end of her China Open campaign, her performance has been nothing short of impressive. Earlier in the tournament, she stunned Paris 2024 Olympics bronze medalist Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia in the first round and followed it up with a hard-fought victory over Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour in the second round.
With Bansod’s exit, India's participation in the BWF China Open 2024 also comes to an end. Apart from Bansod, no other Indian shuttler managed to advance past the opening round in the Super 1000 affair.
