Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu’s hopes of advancing in the Japan Masters Super 500 tournament were dashed on Thursday, as she was defeated by Canada’s Michelle Li in a tense and dramatic pre-quarter-final encounter. The world number 20 lost to the 23rd-ranked Li in a gripping three-game battle that ended 21-17, 16-21, 17-21 in favor of the Canadian, following 75 minutes of intense, high-quality badminton action.
Sindhu, who has a strong track record at Super 500 events, began the match with a solid performance in the first game. She managed to outmaneuver Li with precise shot placement and aggressive attacking strokes, securing a 21-17 victory in a highly competitive opening game. Sindhu’s ability to control the pace of the game was key as she capitalized on her opponent’s errors and maintained pressure through every rally. The 28-year-old displayed remarkable focus and athleticism, especially when she seized her fourth game point to close out the first game.
However, the second game marked a shift in momentum. Despite Sindhu’s initial lead, Li demonstrated exceptional resilience, mounting a strong comeback to take the game 21-16. Sindhu, perhaps feeling the pressure of the match, started to make unforced errors, allowing Li to dictate the rallies with well-timed smashes and well-placed drop shots. Li’s consistent play helped her level the match, setting the stage for an exciting decider.
In the final game, Sindhu initially had the upper hand, leading 4-1 and managing to stay ahead at 11-9 during the mid-game interval. But Li’s composure under pressure came to the fore as she reeled off a series of winning points, gradually overhauling Sindhu’s lead. Despite Sindhu’s best efforts to fight back, Li surged ahead to win 21-17, clinching the match in dramatic fashion. This victory marked only the third time in their 13 encounters that Li had come out on top, further solidifying her growing reputation on the international badminton circuit.
Sindhu’s loss came as a huge blow to India’s campaign in the Japan Masters, especially after her strong start to the tournament. The defeat meant that India’s participation in the tournament came to a premature end, with no players advancing to the later stages. Earlier in the tournament, Lakshya Sen also faced disappointment, suffering a heart-wrenching loss in the men’s singles opening round. After winning the first game 22-20, Sen faltered in the next two games, eventually losing 17-21, 16-21 to Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao. Sen’s inconsistency was evident, as he struggled to maintain the intensity that had seen him win the first game.
India also saw its women’s doubles team of Teresa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand exit early. The duo, who had shown promise in previous tournaments, failed to build any momentum in their opening-round match and were defeated by lower-ranked opponents, further compounding India’s disappointing run at the Japan Masters.
This loss to Li is just one of a series of early exits that have plagued India’s badminton players this year, including the setbacks faced by Lakshya Sen and the women’s doubles pair of Jolly and Gopichand. Despite the early exits, there have been flashes of brilliance throughout the year, with Sindhu and others consistently showcasing their ability to compete at the highest levels.
India’s badminton contingent will now look to regroup and prepare for future tournaments, hoping to learn from their mistakes and build on their performances in order to come back stronger. For Sindhu, it’s another setback in a challenging year, but she will undoubtedly take valuable lessons from the match. As one of India’s most accomplished athletes, she will be aiming to make a stronger push in the coming months, hoping to regain her form and focus ahead of more prestigious tournaments. Similarly, other Indian players will need to address the areas of their game that have faltered, with an eye on improving consistency and maintaining focus under pressure in order to deliver better results in upcoming international events.
