PV Sindhu’s Brave Fight Ends In A Heartbreaking Three-Game Defeat

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PV Sindhu’s bid for a sixth BWF World Championships medal ended in heartbreak as she lost 11-21, 21-15, 17-21 to China’s third-seeded Wang Zhi Yi in a gripping Round of 16 clash in New Delhi. Sindhu started slowly but fought back brilliantly in the second game, winning six straight points from 15-all to force a decider. The Indian then stayed in the contest until 16-all in the third game, when Wang took a medical break after appearing to struggle physically. Sindhu, however, could not regain her momentum after the interruption, committing costly errors as Wang surged ahead and sealed victory after a gruelling 88-minute battle, ending India’s singles challenge.

PV Sindhu vs Wang Zhi Yi
China's Wang Zhi Yi, right, and India's PV Sindhu greet each other at the end of their match during the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, India | Photo: AP/Manish Swarup
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Wang Zhi Yi defeats PV Sindhu
China's Wang Zhi Yi reacts after defeating India's PV Sindhu during the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, India. | Photo: AP/Manish Swarup
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PV Sindhu BWF World Championships
India's PV Sindhu competes against China's Wang Zhi Yi, unseen, in a women's singles badminton match during the BWF World Championships, at IGI Stadium, in New Delhi. | Photo: PTI/Gurinder Osan
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Wang Zhi Yi BWF World Championships
China's Wang Zhi Yi celebrates scoring a point against India's PV Sindhu during the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, India. | Photo: AP/Manish Swarup
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PV Sindhu vs Wang Zhi Yi Badminton World Championships 2026
India's PV Sindhu, above, celebrates a point during a women's singles badminton match against China's Wang Zhi Yi at the BWF World Championships, at IGI Stadium, in New Delhi. | Photo: PTI/Karma Bhutia
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BWF World Championships Wang Zhi Yi
China's Wang Zhi Yi falls in an attempt to play a shot against India's PV Sindhu during the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, India. | Photo: AP/Manish Swarup
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PV Sindhu Badminton World Championships 2026
India's PV Sindhu celebrates scoring a point against China's Wang Zhi Yi during the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, India. | Photo: AP/Manish Swarup
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Chinas Wang Zhiyi World Badminton Championships
China's Wang Zhiyi receives medical attention for an injury during her women's singles round-of-16 badminton match against India's PV Sindhu at the BWF World Championships, at IGI Stadium, in New Delhi. | Photo: PTI/Gurinder Osan
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World Badminton Championships PV Sindhu
India's PV Sindhu plays against China's Wang Zhi Yi during the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, India. | Photo: AP/Manish Swarup
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World Badminton Championships PV Sindhu
India's PV Sindhu competes against China's Wang Zhi Yi, unseen, in a women's singles round-of-16 badminton match during the BWF World Championships, at IGI Stadium, in New Delhi. | Photo: PTI/Gurinder Osan
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Wang Zhi Yi Badminton World Championships
China's Wang Zhi Yi competes against India's PV Sindhu, unseen, in a women's singles badminton match during the BWF World Championships, at IGI Stadium, in New Delhi. | Photo: PTI/Gurinder Osan
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PV Sindhu, BWF World Championships
India’s PV Sindhu competes against China’s Wang Zhiyi, unseen, in the women’s singles badminton match during the BWF World Championships, at IGI Stadium in New Delhi. | Photo: PTI/Karma Bhutia

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