{"id":"f-80ae245e0c-a7fd5078-c4ca-5dc9-9b96-f9e4b708675f","title":"Malaysia Open: Sindhu loses to Wang in semifinals","description":"","timestamp":1768026040,"category":"sports","headline":"Malaysia Open: Sindhu loses to Wang in semifinals","modifiedHeadline":"Malaysia Open: PV Sindhu crashes out in semis","subCategories":["scid_e88c9638"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"e1a3043c-d08a-46f2-845d-af459420d6f9","bundleTitle":"World Of Sports","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"534","fcSummary":"P. V. Sindhu's run at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 ended in the semi-finals with a defeat to China's Wang Zhiyi. Sindhu, returning from injury, lost 16-21, 15-21 after committing unforced errors and failing to maintain momentum despite leading in the second game.","summary":"Heartbreak for Sindhu! Wang Zhi Yi ends her Malaysia Open run in a tough semi-final clash. Dreams dashed, final berth slips away.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/news18/f-80ae245e0c-a7fd5078-c4ca-5dc9-9b96-f9e4b708675f","sourceUrl":"https://www.news18.com/agency-feeds/malaysia-open-sindhu-loses-to-wang-in-semifinals-9821181.html","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/4sPBa3QzUMd0.webp","content":"

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 10 (PTI) Ace Indian shuttler P V Sindhu’s impressive run came to an end after a straight-game defeat to China’s Wang Zhiyi in the women’s singles semifinals of the season-opening Malaysia

\n\n

Open Super 1000 here on Saturday.

The two-time Olympic medallist could not sustain the pressure against the world number two, committing too many unforced errors in a 16-21, 15-21 loss.

Playing her first tournament after recovering from a foot injury that kept her on the sidelines since October last year, Sindhu also let slip an 11-6 lead in the second game.

\n\n

The loss also brought down curtains on India’s campaign in the tournament.

Sindhu took the fight to her higher-ranked opponent early, hitting hard and using her reach effectively.

\n\n

She produced her trademark cross-court smashes to race to a 5-2 lead before Wang’s subtle touch helped her draw level with a run of points.

A few misses from Wang allowed Sindhu to edge ahead 9-7 but the Chinese player clawed back once again to take a slender one-point lead at the interval as Sindhu faltered at the net.

Both players struggled for length after the restart with the scores locked at 13-13 and several points squandered at the backline.

From 15-14, Wang upped the pressure with relentless attacking shots that cramped Sindhu, mixing them with well-judged lifts that floated just beyond reach.

\n\n

She surged to 18-14, conceded one point in a fierce rally, then earned four game points and closed out the opener as Sindhu went wide.

The second game saw Sindhu slip to 1-3 after two unforced errors but she regrouped quickly, constructing rallies with authority to move ahead 6-3.

Wang steadied herself to narrow the gap, yet Sindhu dominated the mid-phase by pushing her opponent to the corners with sharp angles, opening up an 11-6 lead at the break.

Wang came out firing after the resumption, engaging in brisk rallies but Sindhu countered with near-perfect net shots to stay ahead at 13-9.

\n\n

Once again, Wang fought back as Sindhu sprayed shots wide and into the net, drawing level at 13-13 before seizing the initiative.

A deft net exchange gave the Chinese player a 16-13 cushion.

Sindhu then missed the backline twice and a backhand net error handed Wang five match points.

The contest ended when Sindhu pushed another shot wide, sealing Wang’s place in the final. PTI ATK PM ATK PM PM

","readDurationInMinutes":"4","author":{"name":"News18","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/png/93a0a932-2fe3-40ed-bfdb-4582706f8183.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[],"pointerSummary":["Sindhu lost to Wang Zhiyi in Malaysia Open Super 1000 Semifinals.","Sindhu lost in straight games 16-21, 15-21 after foot injury return.","Wang rallied from behind in both games to defeat Sindhu and advance to final."],"tags":["MalaysiaOpen","PVSindhu","WangZhiyi","Badminton","Semifinals","India","China","Sports","BadmintonTournament","Super1000"],"consent":true,"redirectionEnabled":false}

Malaysia Open: Sindhu loses to Wang in semifinals

SUMMARY