WTT Vadodara: Youngest National Champion Hansini Mathan pulls off Stellar Upset, beats 3rd Seed Yoo Yerin in Round of 32

In a dominant display at Sama Indoor Sports Complex in Vadodara, India's Hansini Mathan dispatched South Korea's Yoo Yerin 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-9) in the Women's Singles Round of 32 of the WTT Feeder Event on Friday (January 9).

The match, lasting 24 minutes, showcased Mathan's superior control and resilience as the 16-year-old beat the 3rd seed Korean player with immense ease.

Mathan edged a tight first game 11-8 after overcoming early deficits, then obliterated Yerin 11-3 in the second, winning eight straight points at one stretch. The decider turned into a thriller, with Yerin clawing back to 9-9, but Mathan sealed it with a match point and showcased her prowess across the match.

With a World Rank of 318, Hansini has now taken down Yerin, who is placed 240 places higher than her in the rankings at 78.

The Chennai-born, shy yet steely, has been making a strong reputation for herself. She is the youngest national champion having been crowned the U19 title at the age of 15. Earlier in the Youth Contender, Hansini lost to Syndrela Das in the U17 women's final, but her terrific start in the feeder is a massive boost.

Hansini maintained her dominance across the match and won 19 points of her own serve, while 14 points came off Yerin's serve.

"I've refined my techniques, especially my forehand. After two recent zones, my mental game has strengthened significantly. Over the past two years, I focused on building my physical fitness, where I was previously lacking. Now, with my mindset improving steadily, it's all coming together," she told MyKhel in an exclusive chat earlier.

After beating Yerin, Hansini will now face another Korean in Ryu Hanna, who beat India's Tanisha Kalbhairav in the Round of 32.