Kuala Lumpur: Indian badminton star PV Sindhu’s wait for a title continues as she fell short in the final, losing to world No. 7 Wang Zhi Yi of China in three games on Sunday.
Sindhu, a fifth seed and double Olympic medalist, last claimed titles at the Singapore Open and Commonwealth Games in 2022, and was the runner-up at the Madrid Spain Masters in 2023.
The title seemed within reach for world No. 15 Sindhu when she held a commanding 11-3 lead in the deciding game. However, a surprising collapse after the final change of ends led to a 21-16, 5-21, 16-21 defeat in a 79-minute women’s singles final.
While the title would have been a significant achievement, Sindhu’s impressive run to the final boosts her confidence as she prepares for the Paris Olympics.
This was Sindhu’s first final appearance on the BWF World Tour in over a year.
“Overall, it was a very good match. It’s disappointing, but there are many positives to take from this match and the tournament as a whole,” said Sindhu, ranked 15th in the world. “I’m happy to have reached the finals and played well. These matches will give me a lot of confidence, though I could have won. It’s just not one of those days.”
Sindhu used a blend of poise and power to dominate reigning Asian champion Wang for most of the match, but faltered after the break in the decider, letting the trophy slip away.
A silver and bronze medalist in the last two Olympic editions, Sindhu had lost to Wang at the Arctic Open last year but had defeated her twice in three meetings. Notably, Sindhu won her last BWF title at the Singapore Open against Wang.
Leading 11-3 at the interval in the third game, Sindhu made several errors post the change of sides, allowing Wang to win 18 of the next 23 points and secure the trophy.
Sindhu, eyeing her third Olympic medal at the Paris Games, has appeared subdued since returning from a knee injury earlier this season.
It has been a while since Sindhu defeated top players like Carolina Marin, Tai Tzu Ying, Chen Yu Fei, and Akane Yamaguchi, whom she is likely to face at the Paris Olympics.
However, the 28-year-old from Hyderabad, now training at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, showed fine form this week. The loss against Wang from a winning position is an area she aims to address in the coming months.
The final was intense, with both players trading blows from the start. Sindhu managed a 6-4 lead before Wang leveled with two points. Sindhu’s strong defense and pressure play led her to an 11-9 lead at the break.
Sindhu’s returns left Wang struggling, moving to a 13-9 lead. With regular angled returns, defensive lifts, and trademark smashes, Sindhu dominated to a 17-10 lead. Wang narrowed the gap to 16-19 with Sindhu’s errors, but Sindhu secured four game points and comfortably sealed the first game.
The second game saw Sindhu struggle with the conditions, leading to a forgettable performance.
In the decider, Sindhu regained her aggression, taking the shuttle early to exert pressure and reaching a sizable 11-3 lead at the interval. However, Wang staged a remarkable comeback after the break, winning two grueling rallies of 55 and 56 shots each. Sindhu’s errors allowed Wang to win five consecutive points.
Wang earned six championship points with another precise return to the backline. Sindhu saved two but eventually went long again, as Wang celebrated her victory.
