BWF World Championships: PV Sindhu into R16 after 4 years, Satwik-Chirag begin with win

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of the Badminton World Championships in Paris on Wednesday, 27 August. Sindhu, seeded 15th, defeated World No. 40 Karupathevan Letshanaa of Malaysia 21-19, 21-15 in 43 minutes at the Adidas Arena.

With the victory, Sindhu reached the third round of the World Championships for the first time since her quarter-final finish in 2021. The 2019 champion has suffered second-round exits in both 2022 and 2023.

Sindhu faces a stern test in the next round, where she will meet World No. 2 and reigning China Open champion Wang Zhi Yi. The Indian last defeated Wang in 2022 but has lost their two most recent encounters.

Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty eased into the Round of 16 in mixed doubles, fending off a tricky threat from Liu Kuang Heng and Yang Po Han 22-20, 21-13. The ninth seeds, who received a bye in the opening round, will take on sixth seeds Liang Wei Kang and Wang Chang of China in the pre-quarterfinals.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto entered the pre-quarterfinals of mixed doubles with a straight-game win over Ireland’s Joshua Magee and Moya Ryan. Seeded 16th, Dhruv and Tanisha dominated the proceedings to outclass the Irish duo 21-11, 21-16 in just 35 minutes.

HOW SINDHU ACED THE 2ND ROUND TEST

Wednesday’s win followed a similar script to her opening-round triumph over World No. 69 Kaloyana Nalbantova of Bulgaria. On that occasion, Sindhu overcame a slow start before wrapping up proceedings in straight games. She saved two game points in the opener against Nalbantova before cruising to a dominant 21-6 win in the second game on Tuesday.

Against Letshanaa, Sindhu once again had to fight back from a sluggish start. The Indian trailed 3-9 and then 12-18 in the opening game against her Malaysian opponent, whom she was facing for the first time in her career. The five-time World Championships medallist then stitched together a run of six straight points before converting her first game point. Sindhu appeared far more assured in the second game, controlling rallies and dictating the pace.

Letshanaa, 22, will be disappointed after failing to capitalise on the early pressure she managed to exert on Sindhu with her aggressive style of play in the opening game. Although she fought back gamely and attempted to keep pace in the second, the young Malaysian could not force a decider.

SINDHU PLAYS THE WAITING GAME

Sindhu was taken aback by the attacking blitz of Letshanaa in the opening exchanges. The Malaysian raced to a 9-3 lead, but the Indian clawed her way back to reduce the deficit to just four points at the interval.

However, Sindhu continued to commit a number of unforced errors, slipping further behind at 12-18. Chasing the game, she grew a little desperate, attempting winners too early in the rallies. At one stage, she missed the lines with cross-court attempts three times in succession.

Letshanaa’s mid-court play was particularly impressive, as she took the pace off whenever Sindhu was pushed into the backcourt, forcing the Indian to work hard for her points.

Yet Sindhu eventually found her rhythm. Growing more familiar with her opponent’s style, she flicked a switch, reeling off points to level the contest. From 12-18 down, she surged ahead to lead 20-19, securing a game point and converting it at the first opportunity.

With the momentum on her side, Sindhu looked far more confident in the second game. She was prepared to bide her time, constructing rallies patiently before striking with decisive winners.

Earlier this year, Sindhu had spoken about her efforts to adapt to the evolving landscape of women’s singles badminton, where players are increasingly willing to engage in longer rallies and play the waiting game, rather than going all out in attack — a style that Sindhu herself once mastered. On Wednesday, there were clear signs of her embracing that tactical shift to positive effect.