Rising shuttler Unnati Hooda on Saturday became the first Indian to enter the U-17 women’s singles final of the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Nothaburi, Thailand, after beating Japan’s Mion Yokouchi in straight games.

Unnati won 21-8, 21-17 over her Japanese rival in the women’s U-17 singles semi-finals. She faces Sarunrak Vitidsarn of Thailand in the gold medal match on Sunday.