PV Sindhu’s dream of creating history at the World Badminton Championships came to an end after the Indian star suffered a hard-fought quarter-final defeat against world No. 3 Wang Zhi Yi on Thursday.
Sindhu, who had already won five World Championship medals, entered the tournament hoping to become the first badminton player to claim six medals at the prestigious event. However, her historic campaign ended with a 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 loss to the Chinese shuttler in a thrilling three-game contest.
A semi-final appearance would have guaranteed Sindhu another World Championship medal, but physical difficulties proved decisive. After losing the opening game, the Indian made an impressive comeback in the second, displaying her trademark fighting spirit. However, she struggled to maintain the same intensity in the decider.
Fatigue, muscle strain and cramps reportedly affected Sindhu during the crucial stages of the match, preventing her from producing her best badminton when it mattered most.
Sindhu had previously collected one gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the World Championships. She will now leave this year’s competition without a medal, ending her bid for another landmark achievement.
Meanwhile, India’s Ayush Shetty, who had stunned the world No. 1 earlier in the tournament, was knocked out in the men’s singles pre-quarter-finals. He lost 21-19, 21-11 to world No. 12 Alwi Farhan.
There was some good news for India, however, as the women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand reached the quarter-finals after defeating Japan’s world No. 7 pair Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi 21-16, 21-12.
