Post by : Meena Ariff

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu’s impressive run at the Malaysia Open concluded with a loss in the women’s singles semifinals to China’s Wang Zhiyi. This was Sindhu’s first tournament back after a long break caused by a foot injury that had kept her away from competitive badminton since October last year. Despite her determined performance, Sindhu went down in straight games 16-21, 15-21 to the world number two.

From the outset, Sindhu showed she was eager to prove her fitness and form. She took the initiative early on, deploying her trademark aggressive style and powerful cross-court smashes. In the first game, both players exchanged leads multiple times, showcasing their skills and tactical play. Sindhu managed to build small leads, at one point going ahead 5-2. However, Wang responded with subtle touches and deft net play that kept the pressure on. As the game progressed, both players battled for control, but Wang’s consistency in attacking shots and well-judged lifts enabled her to pull ahead. Sindhu faltered at key moments, especially near the net, which allowed Wang to clinch the opener 21-16.

The second game saw Sindhu come back stronger. She quickly moved ahead, taking advantage of a couple of unforced errors from Wang to reach a 6-3 lead. Demonstrating her skill and court awareness, Sindhu pushed her opponent to the corners with sharp angled shots and tight net play, steadily extending her lead to 11-6 at the mid-game interval. At this point, it seemed Sindhu was on track to level the match.

However, after the break, Wang regrouped and intensified her attacks. Engaging in brisk and sharp rallies, Wang managed to claw back from the deficit. Sindhu, despite her earlier dominance, began to struggle with unforced errors—sending shots wide and into the net—which allowed Wang to close the gap. The score quickly tightened, and at 13-13, Wang seized the momentum. A series of clever net exchanges and aggressive smashes put Sindhu on the back foot.

Under mounting pressure, Sindhu’s errors increased. She missed crucial backline shots and committed a backhand net error, handing Wang five match points. Wang capitalized on the opportunity, winning the contest when Sindhu pushed a shot wide, finalizing the scoreline at 21-15.

Though the loss ended India’s campaign at the Malaysia Open, Sindhu’s performance highlighted her fighting spirit as she continues her recovery. Returning from a significant injury layoff is never easy, and Sindhu’s ability to compete closely with one of the world’s best players shows promise for her future tournaments.

Moving forward, Sindhu will look to regain full fitness and consistency, building on this experience as she aims to climb back up the rankings and contend for major titles in the coming season.

#Global News #Sports News #Malaysia News