India's hopes at the prestigious Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament concluded on Saturday as star shuttler PV Sindhu suffered a straight-game defeat in the women's singles semifinals. The two-time Olympic medallist was ousted by China's world number two, Wang Zhiyi, with a scoreline of 16-21, 15-21.
A Comeback Cut Short
This tournament marked Sindhu's highly anticipated return to competitive badminton after a lengthy layoff due to a foot injury sustained in October last year. Despite showing flashes of her trademark aggression, she struggled to maintain consistency against a formidable opponent. The defeat brought an end to India's campaign at the season-opening event in Kuala Lumpur.
Match Analysis: Moments of Promise, Then Fade
Sindhu began the first game aggressively, using her reach and powerful cross-court smashes to build an early 5-2 lead. However, Wang Zhiyi responded with precision, drawing level and then taking a narrow one-point advantage into the mid-game interval. After the restart, the scores were locked at 13-13 before Wang intensified the pressure. A barrage of attacking shots allowed the Chinese player to surge ahead and secure the first game 21-16.
The second game saw a strong response from the Indian ace. She recovered from an initial 1-3 deficit to dominate the mid-phase, stretching Wang with sharp angles and building a commanding 11-6 lead at the interval. The momentum, however, shifted dramatically after the break.
The Crucial Turnaround
Wang Zhiyi returned with renewed focus, engaging in fast-paced rallies. While Sindhu initially held her ground with precise net play to lead 13-9, a series of unforced errors proved costly. Shots sprayed wide and into the net allowed Wang to level at 13-13 and then seize control. A deft net exchange gave Wang a 16-13 cushion. Sindhu then missed the backline twice, and a backhand error at the net handed her opponent five match points. The contest ended when another Sindhu shot went wide, sealing Wang's place in the final.
The match highlighted Sindhu's fight but also underscored the challenge of regaining peak form after an injury break. Her inability to protect the 11-6 lead in the second game was a pivotal moment, as Wang's relentless pressure forced errors at critical junctures.
