The India Open badminton championship witnessed a seismic shift when Vietnam’s Thi Linh Phuong Nguyen defeated PV Sindhu in a pulsating three-setter, 21-17, 14-21, 21-19. This second-round stunner eliminates the Rio Olympic silver medalist from contention in front of a stunned home crowd.
Sindhu, returning from injury, showed flashes of brilliance but couldn’t sustain momentum. Nguyen exploited loose shots and errors at the net, building a commanding lead in the first game through superior anticipation. Her flat drives kept Sindhu pinned back, restricting attacking options.
Leveling in the second, Sindhu’s improved variation and pace swung momentum. She mixed lengths expertly, forcing Nguyen into uncharacteristic mistakes. The decider turned on fine margins: at 19-19, Nguyen’s backhand winner followed by Sindhu’s unforced error handed the underdog victory.
This result underscores the razor-thin margins at elite level. Nguyen, a late bloomer at 25, has risen 20 spots in rankings this year, signaling Vietnam’s emerging threat. For Sindhu, the defeat interrupts momentum built at Malaysia Masters last week.
Experts point to Sindhu’s serve-receive struggles and slower court coverage as key factors. Her camp plans intensive sessions targeting these weaknesses. Nguyen faces a stern quarterfinal test, but her confidence soars after toppling a marquee name.
India’s badminton faithful remain supportive, viewing this as a blip in Sindhu’s storied career. With Olympics looming, expect focused rehabilitation and tactical overhauls in the coming weeks.