Hylo Open: Malvika Bansod finishes as the runner-up

Young Indian shuttler Malvika Bansod’s impressive run at the Hylo Open 2024 came to an end in the final as she suffered a straight-game loss to Danish opponent Mia Blichfeldt in Saarbrücken, Germany, on Sunday.

Malvika had no answers to the explosive game of the experienced Danish shuttler, resulting in a decisive defeat with scores of 10-21, 15-21.

With this loss, Malvika once again missed the opportunity to stand on the top podium of a BWF World Tour event for the first time.

The match had a tight start, with both players pushing hard for every point, resulting in a tie at 8-8 in the opening game. 

However, the Danish player leveraged her experience to take a significant lead and close out the first game.

In the second game, Malvika started strong, gaining a decent lead at the mid-game break (8-11), but she struggled to maintain it due to several unforced errors. 

Sensing her chance to take control, Mia began using her attacking shots to seize the lead in the second game, which Malvika could not recover from, ultimately ending her journey with a runner-up finish.

Despite the outcome, this tournament should boost Malvika’s confidence, as reaching the final of a BWF World Tour event after two years showcases her improved performance compared to her previous tournaments.