News | BWF World Tour

A storied rivalry will see its latest chapter on the opening day of the KAPAL API Indonesia Open 2025 tomorrow when Pusarla V Sindhu takes on Nozomi Okuhara.

The Indian and the Japanese haven’t been close to the form that dazzled spectators in earlier years – most prominently in the World Championships 2017 final – for both have struggled to cross the early rounds of tournaments in recent months. Pusarla’s best performance this season was a quarterfinal at her home India Open in January, while Okuhara hasn’t made it past the second round in six events.

But given their background and contrasting styles, perhaps they still have plenty in store to enthral the opening day crowd. Their last face-off was in October 2023; Pusarla leads the head to head 10-9, and it will be interesting to see what each player can come up with given the stature of the opponent and the stage.

Among other high-profile opening round clashes in women’s singles will be Michelle Li versus Tomoka Miyazaki; the Canadian had won their first meeting last week in Singapore.

At the top of the draw, An Se Young will look to regroup after her quarterfinal loss in Singapore. Chen Yu Fei, her vanquisher last week, having won four tournaments in a row, is in the bottom half of the draw along with three Chinese compatriots: Malaysia Masters champion Wang Zhi Yi, Han Yue and Gao Fang Jie.

In men’s singles the man of the moment is Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who’s on a run of three straight titles. A chance at becoming the first Thai to win the men’s singles title at the Indonesia Open awaits, but given the exertions of the last week in Singapore, Vitidsarn himself might temper his expectations.

Among the first round matches to look forward to are a faceoff between Popov brothers Toma Junior and Christo.

Withdrawals:

Men’s singles: Lei Lan Xi (China)

Women’s Doubles: Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida (Japan)

Promotions:

Men’s Singles: Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo (Indonesia)

Women’s Doubles: Gronya Somerville/Angela Yu (Australia)

Click here for the updated draw