Taipei Open: Teen Trailblazer Tanvi’s Time

For all the records she rewrote on Saturday, Tanvi Sharma‘s focus barely drifted beyond the next match.

The 17-year-old Indian produced another composed display at YONEX Taipei Open 2026 to defeat fifth-seeded home favourite Huang Yu-Hsun 21-17 21-11 in just 33 minutes to book her place in the women’s singles final.

It is only the second HSBC BWF World Tour title match of Sharma’s young career, coming slightly over a year after she finished runner-up to Beiwen Zhang at the US Open. While the milestone meant plenty, the teenager made it clear she has unfinished business.

“I’m really very happy after reaching the final,” Sharma said. “But I’m still not satisfied because I have to play the final and give my best there. It’s been a long time, so I’m delighted.”

Playing in front of a partisan Taipei crowd against a higher-ranked local favourite, Sharma showed little sign of nerves. After a closely fought opening game, she steadily seized control with her attacking intent before capitalising on her opponent’s errors in the second.

“At the end of the second game, I got a lot of points from attacking,” she explained. “Right from the start of that game, I played attacking strokes. After the interval, she started making more mistakes, so I just focused on keeping the shuttle in court.”

Sharma’s run has consistency written all over it; she dropped only one game all week – against fourth seed Supanida Katethong in the quarterfinals – and now becomes the first Indian to reach the women’s singles final since Saina Nehwal lifted the title in 2008.

At 17 years and 222 days, she is also the youngest finalist in tournament history, eclipsing Korean doubles legend Lee Yong Dae, who was 17 years and 287 days when he reached the men’s doubles title bout in 2006.

Standing between Sharma and a maiden World Tour title is sixth seed Nguyen Thuy Linh – the same player she defeated on her run to the US Open final last year.

“I’m very confident going into the match. I hope for the best and will give my 100 per cent.”