PV Sindhu exits China Open after three-game loss to Chen Yufei

Heartbreak in Changzhou

PV Sindhu's campaign at the China Open came to a painful end on Thursday. The Indian shuttler lost a three-game thriller to China's Chen Yufei in the Round of 16. The final scoreline read 21-18, 18-21, 19-21 in favour of the home favourite.

It was a match Sindhu could have won. She led in the decider but could not hold off Chen's late surge. The defeat marks another early exit for Sindhu in a season where she has struggled for consistency.

Match swings both ways

The first game was tight. Sindhu used her reach and power to dictate rallies. She took it 21-18, putting Chen under pressure. But the Chinese player responded in the second game, levelling the match with a 21-18 win of her own.

The decider was a see-saw battle. Sindhu raced to a lead and looked set to close out the match. However, Chen Yufei fought back, saving match points and taking the game 21-19. The home crowd erupted as Sindhu walked off the court, her racket hanging low.

Officials have not yet confirmed if Sindhu will play any more tournaments before the next major event.

Other Indian exits

Ayush Shetty also crashed out of the China Open on the same day. He lost his Round of 16 match in straight games. The young Indian showed fight but could not match the pace of his opponent.

The tournament continues without any Indian representation in the women's singles draw. The men's singles draw also lost its last Indian hope with Shetty's defeat.

What went wrong for Sindhu

Sindhu's game has shown flashes of brilliance this year. But inconsistency in the closing stages of matches has been a recurring problem. Against Chen Yufei, she had the match in her grasp. A few unforced errors at critical moments changed the outcome.

Fitness and shot selection in high-pressure points remain areas of concern. Sindhu's coach will have to work on these aspects ahead of the upcoming tournaments.

Chen Yufei advances

Chen Yufei will now move into the quarterfinals of the China Open. The Chinese shuttler has a strong record on home soil. She will be keen to go deep into the tournament and claim the title in front of her supporters.

For Sindhu, the focus will shift to recovery and preparation. The Indian ace has a packed calendar ahead, including the World Tour Finals later this year.

What happens next: Sindhu will take a short break before resuming training. Her next likely appearance is at the Japan Open, where she will hope to bounce back from this disappointment.