In a heart-breaking moment, double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu lost the semi-finals on Saturday, bringing an end to India’s campaign in the season-opening Malaysia Open 2026.
The World No.18 lost 16-21, 15-21 to the People’s Republic of China’s Wang Zhiyi, second in the women’s singles badminton rankings, at the Stadium Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
The final four match started on a neck-and-neck note with both players matching each other. Sindhu, later, caused unforced errors to allow her opponent take a 14-18 lead and seal the match.
In the second game, Wang Zhiyi took an early 11-6 advantage. She took control of her advantage and sealed the game with Sindhu, once again, letting her opponent take the momentum with unforced errors.
This was PV Sindhu’s third defeat in six matches against Wang Zhiyi.
She is scheduled to take on Nguyễn Thùy Linh of Vietnam in the opening round at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Delhi.