In a surprising turn of events at the Asian Games, India's star shuttler and two-time Olympic medallist, PV Sindhu, was ousted from the women's singles quarterfinals. She faced a straight-game defeat at the hands of China's formidable player, He Bingjiao.
Sindhu, who currently holds the 15th spot in world rankings, failed to showcase her typical prowess on the court. Her opponent, the world No.5 Bingjiao, dominated the match with scores of 21-16 and 21-12, wrapping up the contest in under 50 minutes.
It's worth noting that Sindhu had previously bested Bingjiao in the Tokyo Olympics, securing a bronze medal after a straight-game victory. However, this time, on her home turf, Bingjiao managed to turn the tables and take her revenge, effectively dashing Sindhu's hopes of enhancing her medal tally at the Asian Games. The Indian shuttler had previously clinched bronze and silver medals at the 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, respectively.
The match commenced with both players on an equal footing, as they exchanged points up to 6-6. However, Bingjiao soon showcased her dominance, surging ahead with a lead of 9-5. Sindhu, usually known for her agility and court coverage, seemed off-pace. Bingjiao capitalized on this, making Sindhu work every inch of the court while securing points with precise shots and powerful smashes. The first game concluded in Bingjiao's favor within 23 minutes.
The second game painted a similar picture. Bingjiao swiftly gained a 5-1 lead, exploiting Sindhu's shorter returns with her signature pinpoint smashes. Though Sindhu attempted a brief comeback, narrowing the gap to 9-8, Bingjiao re-established control, expanding her lead to 12-8. From this point, Sindhu's presence on the court seemed diminished, allowing Bingjiao to seal the game and the match swiftly.
In summary, while Sindhu's exit from the Asian Games quarterfinals might be disappointing for her fans, it highlights the competitive nature of international badminton and the ever-present challenge posed by top-ranking players.
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