Indian badminton star PV Sindhu suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the China Open after surrendering four match points against Olympic champion Chen Yufei in a tense three-game encounter. Sindhu, who had taken control of the contest by winning the opening game, eventually went down 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 in the women’s singles round of 16.
The result was particularly painful for Sindhu because she had several opportunities to close out the match in the second game. With victory within reach, the Indian failed to convert four match points, allowing Chen to extend the contest and force a deciding game. The Chinese shuttler then held her nerve in the final stages to complete a remarkable comeback.
Sindhu began the match with an aggressive approach and showed the attacking intent that had helped her make a strong start. Chen initially managed to establish an advantage, but Sindhu responded impressively and gradually turned the momentum in her favour. From a position of pressure, the Indian increased the pace of her play, found greater accuracy with her strokes and began dictating the exchanges.
The first game appeared to be slipping away from Sindhu when she fell behind 8-13. However, she produced a determined comeback, changing the rhythm of the rallies and putting Chen under sustained pressure. Sindhu’s attacking game became increasingly effective as she combined powerful strokes from the rear court with better placement.
The turnaround was significant. Sindhu levelled the score and then moved ahead as Chen struggled to maintain the control she had enjoyed earlier in the game. The Indian continued to press forward and eventually secured the opening game 21-16, putting herself in a strong position to progress to the quarterfinals.
The second game proved to be the decisive turning point.
Sindhu continued to look confident and was able to build another advantage. At one stage, she appeared to be firmly in control of the match and within touching distance of securing victory in straight games. Her movement and attacking play had put Chen under pressure, while the Chinese player was forced to work hard to stay in contention.
However, Chen refused to surrender.
As the second game entered its crucial phase, the intensity of the contest increased. Chen became more disciplined in the longer rallies and began reducing the number of unforced errors in her game. Sindhu, meanwhile, found herself unable to make the most of the opportunities that came her way.
The Indian had four match points but could not convert any of them.
That failure allowed Chen to remain alive in the contest. The Chinese shuttler showed composure at the most critical stage, winning the points that mattered and eventually taking the second game 22-20. What had looked like a possible straight-games victory for Sindhu had suddenly turned into a deciding game.
The momentum had shifted dramatically.
With both players having spent considerable physical energy during the first two games, the third game became a test of endurance, concentration and tactical discipline. Sindhu continued to fight, but the physical demands of the long rallies began to affect her ability to generate the same attacking power she had displayed earlier.
Chen capitalised on the situation and maintained pressure during the deciding game. Sindhu’s attempts to regain control did not produce the desired result, and the Chinese player gradually moved closer to victory.
The final scoreline of 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 reflected the dramatic nature of the contest. Sindhu had won the first game and was in a position to finish the match in the second, but Chen’s resilience ultimately changed the outcome.
For Sindhu, the defeat will be particularly frustrating because of the narrow margin between victory and elimination. The four match points she failed to convert represented a major missed opportunity, especially against an opponent of Chen’s quality.
The contest also highlighted the fine margins that often decide matches between elite players. Sindhu demonstrated that she was capable of putting Chen under pressure and controlling long stretches of the match. Her strong first-game comeback and attacking intent showed that she could challenge one of the leading players on the international circuit.
Yet, when the match reached its most decisive moments, Chen displayed greater composure. Saving four match points required exceptional mental strength, and the Chinese player used that opportunity to completely alter the direction of the contest.
The defeat also adds another chapter to the competitive rivalry between Sindhu and Chen. Matches between the two have frequently been closely contested, with both players possessing the ability to produce high-quality badminton under pressure. This latest encounter once again underlined how small the margins can be when they meet.
For Sindhu, the focus will now turn to the lessons from the defeat. Her ability to create winning positions remains a positive sign, but converting those opportunities will be crucial as she continues her campaign on the international circuit. The match demonstrated that her attacking game can still trouble the world’s best, while also exposing the importance of maintaining composure when victory is within reach.
The China Open exit is therefore a disappointing result for the Indian star, but the performance itself offered both encouragement and areas for improvement. Sindhu showed resilience in recovering from an early deficit, took the opening game and created four opportunities to finish the contest. Ultimately, however, Chen Yufei’s ability to survive the pressure and force a decider proved decisive.
In the end, Sindhu’s campaign came to a dramatic conclusion after a match that she had appeared close to winning. Chen’s comeback from four match points down will stand out as the defining moment of the contest, while Sindhu will be left to reflect on a missed opportunity in a match that slipped away despite a promising start.