PV Sindhu’s bid for a record sixth World Championships medal ended after China’s Wang Zhi Yi defeated her 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 in a gripping Round-of-16 clash in New Delhi on Thursday.
The loss also ended Sindhu’s remarkable record against Chinese opponents at the World Championships, having won her previous eight matches against players from China. Wang dominated the opening game, but Sindhu responded strongly in the second, winning six consecutive points after the score was tied at 15-15 to force a decider. Sindhu led 8-4 early in the third game and was ahead 11-10 at the interval, but Wang fought back.
After Wang received a medical timeout at 16-16, Sindhu struggled to regain momentum and eventually bowed out. She now shifts focus to the Asian Games.