Paris: PV Sindhu produced one of her finest performances in recent years to storm into the quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships, defeating World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi in straight games. The victory marks a strong comeback for the former World Champion. Adding to India’s celebrations, mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto scripted history by reaching the last eight, the first Indian duo to achieve this feat in seven years.
Sindhu regains her vintage form
PV Sindhu, India’s two-time Olympic medallist and 2019 World Champion, looked sharp and confident as she overcame Wang Zhi Yi 21-19, 21-15. From the very beginning, Sindhu dictated the rallies with her aggressive smashes and quick reflexes at the net. The win not only carried her into the last eight but also signalled her return to top form on the world stage.
A strong fightback in earlier rounds
Sindhu’s campaign in Paris has been marked by resilience. In the previous round against Malaysia’s Letshanaa Karupathevan, she trailed 12-18 before making a remarkable comeback to win 21-19, 21-15 in just 42 minutes. This victory ensured her entry into the third round of the World Championships for the first time since 2021, underlining her determination to fight back after recent setbacks.
Unbeaten record against Chinese players
With her win against Wang Zhi Yi, Sindhu extended her unbeaten record against Chinese opponents at the World Championships to an impressive 8-0. The head-to-head tally against Wang now stands at 3-2 in Sindhu’s favour. One more win would put her on the brink of equalling the record for the most medals by a female shuttler at the World Championships.
Historic run for Kapila and Crasto
While Sindhu dominated in singles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto delivered a milestone moment for Indian badminton. The mixed doubles duo defeated the fifth-seeded pair to storm into the quarterfinals, becoming the first Indian pair in seven years to reach this stage of the World Championships. Their victory is being hailed as a sign of India’s growing strength in the doubles format.
Indian contingent shines overall
The overall Indian campaign in Paris has been promising. Men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty continued their winning run, advancing smoothly into the later rounds. In men’s singles, HS Prannoy came agonisingly close to upsetting World No. 2 Anders Antonsen, narrowly losing in a three-game thriller 8-21, 21-17, 21-23. Despite his exit, Prannoy’s performance reflected India’s depth in singles.
Conclusion
Sindhu’s resurgence, combined with the breakthrough performance of Kapila and Crasto, has given India renewed hope at the World Championships. With a possible sixth medal in sight for Sindhu and India’s doubles showing new promise, the tournament has already turned into a memorable campaign for the country.