Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: PV Sindhu’s strong campaign ended with a straight-game loss to China’s Wang Zhiyi in the women’s singles semifinals of the season-opening Malaysia Open Super 1000 on Saturday. The Indian star was unable to overcome the challenge posed by the world number two, going down 16-21, 15-21 after making a series of unforced mistakes.

Competing in her first event since returning from a foot injury that had sidelined her since October last year, the two-time Olympic medalist struggled to maintain momentum, particularly after surrendering an 11-6 advantage in the second game. The defeat also marked the conclusion of India’s participation in the tournament.

Sindhu began the match confidently, taking the initiative against her higher-ranked rival by attacking aggressively and using her height and reach to good effect. She unleashed several powerful cross-court smashes to move ahead 5-2 before Wang responded with deft control at the net to level the score. A few errors from the Chinese shuttler allowed Sindhu to regain a 9-7 lead, but Wang recovered once more, edging ahead by a single point at the mid-game interval as Sindhu struggled with her net play.

After the restart, both players found it difficult to control length, with the score tied at 13-13 and multiple points lost near the baseline. From 15-14, Wang raised the intensity, unleashing a sustained attacking barrage that forced Sindhu into awkward positions. She combined this with well-measured lifts that stayed just out of reach, racing to an 18-14 advantage. Although she dropped one point in a long rally, Wang earned four game points and sealed the opening game when Sindhu hit wide.

In the second game, Sindhu fell behind early at 1-3 due to a pair of errors but quickly regrouped, dictating rallies to surge ahead 6-3. Wang steadied her game to reduce the deficit, yet Sindhu controlled the middle phase by stretching her opponent to the corners with sharp angles, taking an 11-6 lead into the interval.

Wang returned with renewed aggression after the break, engaging in fast-paced exchanges, but Sindhu responded with precise net shots to maintain a 13-9 edge. However, momentum shifted once again as Sindhu sent several shots wide and into the net, allowing Wang to draw level at 13-13 and then take control. A delicate net exchange gave the Chinese player a 16-13 lead. Sindhu followed with two backline errors, and a backhand mistake at the net handed Wang five match points, which she converted to close out the contest.