Council Bluffs: Zhang Beiwen, the No. 1 seed and U.S. badminton veteran, reclaimed her dominance on home soil by winning the 2025 U.S. Open women’s singles title, overcoming India’s 16-year-old rising star Tanvi Sharma in a gripping three-game final: 21-11, 16-21, 21-10.
The victory marked a return to form for Zhang, who previously captured the U.S. Open crown in 2014 when she swept Japan’s Kana Ito 21-8, 21-17. Despite falling short in last year’s final—where she lost to Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira 21-17, 18-21, 22-24—Zhang bounced back in spectacular fashion.
Zhang’s road to the title included a hard-fought semifinal against Denmark’s Line Christophersen. After dropping the first game 18-21, Zhang surged back to take the next two 21-16, 21-15. Meanwhile, Tanvi Sharma made waves by upsetting seventh seed Polina Buhrova and then pushing past Zhang to force a deciding third game in the final.
This win not only adds to Zhang’s impressive career but also highlights her resilience against the sport’s new generation of talent.
Men’s Singles: Ayush Shetty Dominates
India’s Ayush Shetty stunned top seed Chou Tien Chen in the semifinals and never looked back. In the final, he overpowered Canada’s Brian Yang with a clinical 21-18, 21-13 victory.
Men’s Doubles: Lai Po Yu / Tsai Fu Cheng Triumph
Taiwanese duo Lai Po Yu / Tsai Fu Cheng captured the men’s doubles title with a 21-13, 21-23, 21-15 victory over fellow countrymen He Zhi-Wei / Huang Jui-Hsuan.
Women’s Doubles: Aimsaard Sisters Sweep Final
Thailand’s crowd-favorite duo, Benyapa Aimsaard / Nuntakarn Aimsaard, made quick work of HSU Ya Ching / SUNG Yu-Hsuan (Chinese Taipei), winning 21-15, 21-15.
Mixed Doubles: Espersen / Kudsk Pull Off Surprise
Denmark’s Rasmus ESPERSEN / Amalie Cecilie KUDSK delivered one of the biggest surprises of the day, outlasting Thailand’s second-seeded pair Ruttanapak Oupthong / Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat 21-17, 13-21, 21-10.
The 2025 U.S. Open not only celebrated champions like Zhang Beiwen and Ayush Shetty but also marked the rise of future badminton stars across all disciplines. With emerging talents from India, Thailand, and Denmark making waves, the global badminton stage is more exciting than ever.
