Unnati Hooda’s push for an all-Indian summit clash fell just short. The teenager was beaten by sixth seed Nguyen Thuy Linh 15-21, 18-21 in the women’s singles semifinal at the Taipei Arena, denying India the send-off script that had looked to be writing itself through the week.
Tanvi Sharma, who arrives in the final unbeaten in straight games, having already accounted for a home favourite in the semis, will instead face Nguyen Thuy Linh for the title.
Earlier, Unnati had clinched a straight-game 23-21, 21-16 victory over Devika Sihag in the quarters.
For a squad assembling for the Asian Games, it is a more mixed send-off than either player might have wanted, though Tanvi’s continued form offers something to build on.
Meanwhile, India’s campaign in the men’s events at the Taipei Open came to an end after Kiran George suffered a 21-12, 21-10 defeat to fourth-seeded Japan’s Yudai Okimoto in the men’s singles quarter-finals. Kiran, who had become India’s last surviving men’s singles player following HS Prannoy’s round-of-16 exit, was unable to mount a challenge against the Japanese shuttler.
India’s doubles challenge had already concluded on Wednesday, with Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu bowing out in the opening round of the men’s doubles competition.
Published on Aug 01, 2026
