Hyderabad: India’s ace shuttler PV Sindhu suffered a shock defeat at the BWF World Championship in Paris, exiting in the early rounds. The two-time Olympic medalist and former world champion lost in straight games to China’s Zhang Yiman on Thursday.
PV Sindhu, ranked in the top 15 globally, struggled to find rhythm against the aggressive Chinese opponent. She lost 18–21, 16–21 in just 42 minutes, ending India’s hopes of a deep run in the women’s singles.
Early exit raises concerns over Sindhu’s form
Analysts said Sindhu appeared rusty and lacked sharpness. Unforced errors allowed Zhang to dominate rallies and win both games comfortably.
This early exit has raised questions about Sindhu’s form, especially with major tournaments ahead in the Paris Olympics cycle. Experts believe she must rebuild confidence and consistency to contend at the top level again.
Despite the setback, Indian fans expressed strong support for the star shuttler, recalling her 2019 World Championship title and Olympic medals. Sindhu herself promised to work harder and come back stronger.
The defeat now places India’s challenge in the hands of other players in the men’s and doubles categories.
