In a powerful statement of intent, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has stormed into the semifinals of the prestigious Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament. This remarkable feat comes in her very first competition after a lengthy break due to injury, signalling a highly encouraging return to top-tier badminton.
Dominant Performance Seals Quarterfinal Win
The world number 18 secured her spot in the final four on Friday at Kuala Lumpur's Axiata Arena, though her quarterfinal match ended prematurely. Her opponent, Japan's third-seeded Akane Yamaguchi, a formidable three-time world champion, was forced to retire hurt after the opening game. Sindhu had completely dominated that game, winning it 21-11. Yamaguchi, who was visibly struggling and wearing a knee brace, decided she could not continue, handing Sindhu the victory.
This result extends Sindhu's advantage in head-to-head encounters against the world number 3 to 15-12. More importantly, it underscores the Indian shuttler's growing confidence and sharpness as she meticulously works her way back to peak physical condition and competitive form.
A Journey Marked by Control and Composure
Sindhu's path through the draw in Kuala Lumpur has been defined by a blend of controlled aggression and steady composure. Her campaign began with a convincing win over world number 33 Sung Shuo-yun of Chinese Taipei. She followed this up with another solid performance, outplaying Japan's eighth seed, Tomoka Miyazaki, to book her quarterfinal berth.
These victories represent a significant morale boost for the champion athlete, who has spent months on the sidelines recovering. Her careful and managed return to the circuit is now yielding promising results at one of the Badminton World Federation's most elite events.
Semifinal Awaits as Indian Contingent Sees Mixed Results
In the semifinals, Sindhu will face the winner of the clash between China's second seed, Wang Zhiyi, and Indonesia's sixth seed, Putri Kusuma Wardani. A win here would mark another major step forward in her comeback narrative.
The day, however, brought mixed fortunes for the Indian badminton contingent. In men's singles, the promising Lakshya Sen saw his campaign end in the pre-quarterfinals. The world number 13 suffered a straight-games defeat (22-20, 21-15) to Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu in a 53-minute battle. Despite holding multiple game points in a tightly contested first game, Sen couldn't close it out, marking his third loss in five meetings against the world number 18.
As the tournament reaches its business end, all eyes will be on PV Sindhu to see if she can continue her inspiring run and clinch a spot in the final, cementing her return to the sport's highest level.
