Heartbreak in New Delhi: PV Sindhu bowed out of the India Open after a gallant fightback fell just short against Vietnam sensation Thi Linh Phuong Nguyen. The scores read 17-21, 21-14, 19-21 in a contest that captivated the packed arena.
As the tournament’s top seed, Sindhu carried the weight of national expectations. Yet Nguyen, with her bullet-like clears and impeccable defense, dictated terms early. The first game slipped away as Sindhu’s lifts proved vulnerable to Nguyen’s aggressive pursuits.
Finding second wind, Sindhu turned the tide in game two with ferocious smashes clocking 400 km/h and clever deception. The equalizer ignited the crowd, priming an epic finale. Tension peaked at 20-19 for Sindhu, but Nguyen’s resilience shone through with two clutch points.
Sindhu later reflected, ‘Tough loss, but she earned it fair and square.’ This marks consecutive second-round exits for the 28-year-old, fueling debates on coaching changes and fitness protocols.
Nguyen’s triumph catapults her into badminton’s spotlight, rewarding years of grinding in obscurity. Her tactical nous – prolonging rallies to induce errors – neutralized Sindhu’s power game effectively.
With the BWF circuit heating up, Sindhu’s team accelerates preparations. Other Indians like Aakarshi Kashyap keep the flag flying high. The incident reminds everyone: in badminton, no lead is safe, no opponent underestimated.