Indian star suffers straight-game defeat in semifinal showdown
India’s badminton campaign at the prestigious Malaysia Open 2026 concluded on Saturday as ace shuttler PV Sindhu bowed out in the semifinals. Facing a tough challenge from China’s Wang Zhiyi, the two-time Olympic medallist suffered a straight-sets defeat, ending her impressive return to the international circuit.
Sindhu, competing in her first tournament since a foot injury sidelined her in October last year, showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency against the World No. 2. Wang Zhiyi secured her spot in the final with a scoreline of 21-16, 21-15, capitalizing on unforced errors from the Indian star at critical moments.
Strong Start Fades in Opener
The match began with promise for PV Sindhu, who utilized her height and powerful cross-court smashes to take an early 5-2 lead. However, Wang quickly adapted, using deft net play to level the score. Although Sindhu managed a 9-7 advantage, the Chinese shuttler seized control by the mid-game interval. Post-break, the contest remained tight until 13-13, but Wang accelerated the tempo, mixing attacking shots with precise lifts to take the first game 21-16.
Missed Opportunities in Second Game
Determined to force a decider, Sindhu constructed her points patiently in the second game. She dominated the early exchanges, building a commanding 11-6 lead at the break by forcing Wang into deep corners. Yet, the momentum shifted dramatically upon resumption. Wang Zhiyi mounted a fierce comeback, erasing the deficit as errors crept into Sindhu’s game.
With the scores locked at 13-13, Wang won sharp net exchanges to establish a 16-13 lead. Sindhu’s hopes faded as she missed the backline twice, handing her opponent five match points. A final wide shot from the Indian shuttler confirmed Wang’s victory and sealed India’s exit from the BWF World Tour Super 1000 event.
Despite the loss, reaching the semifinals of a Super 1000 tournament immediately after a long injury layoff remains a positive sign for PV Sindhu for the rest of the 2026 season. Fans tracking Odisha sports updates and national badminton news will look forward to her next outing as she regains full match fitness.
