PV Sindhu Falls to World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi in Malaysia Open Semifinals

Indian badminton icon PV Sindhu came agonisingly close to a statement comeback at the Malaysia Open but suffered a straight-games defeat to world No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi on Saturday, bowing out in the women’s singles semifinals. Despite leading for long phases in both games, Sindhu was unable to close out crucial points, losing 16–21, 15–21 in a contest that highlighted both promise and missed opportunities.

Making her return to competitive badminton after a foot injury that had sidelined her since October, the two-time Olympic medallist showed signs of regaining her trademark rhythm and power throughout the tournament. However, against the higher-ranked Chinese shuttler, Sindhu struggled to maintain consistency at key moments in the last-four clash.

Malaysia Open 2026 – Women’s Singles Semifinal Highlights

Sindhu began the opening game with confidence, dictating rallies using her physicality and sharp attacking angles. Her cross-court smashes and steep returns put Wang under early pressure, allowing the Indian to build a healthy lead. However, Wang gradually found her footing, relying on solid defense and swift counterattacks to claw her way back into contention.

As the rallies lengthened, Sindhu began committing unforced errors, particularly at the net and along the baseline. Sensing the shift, Wang increased the tempo, pinned Sindhu to the backcourt, and forced her into hurried lifts. The momentum swung decisively in Wang’s favour, and she closed out the first game after edging a tightly fought middle phase.

Match Clip and Fan Reactions

According to match updates shared on social media, Wang Zhi Yi sealed the contest 21–16, 21–15, bringing an end to PV Sindhu’s impressive run. Fans were quick to praise Sindhu’s resilience on her return while acknowledging Wang’s composure under pressure.

The second game followed a familiar pattern. After an uncertain start, Sindhu once again wrested control midway through the game, pushing Wang to the corners and opening up a commanding lead at the interval. Yet, as seen earlier, sustaining that advantage proved difficult against a player of Wang’s calibre.

Coming out aggressively after the break, Wang targeted Sindhu’s backhand and seamlessly transitioned from defense to attack. A series of close rallies and missed chances tilted the balance, and the Chinese shuttler surged ahead. As Sindhu’s timing deserted her in the closing stages, Wang wrapped up the match to book her place in the final.

While the loss brought India’s singles campaign at the Malaysia Open to an end—following exits by Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty—Sindhu’s overall performance stood out as a major positive.

For Sindhu, the semifinal finish marks a crucial step in her journey back to peak fitness and competitive sharpness. With more match time and continued recovery, the Indian ace will take confidence from her fighting display as she prepares for upcoming international tournaments.