Two-time Olympic medallist and India's ace shuttler PV Sindhu put on a show with her dominant victory in Paris on Thursday, August 28. The 30-year-old annihilated the World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi in straight games to prove her prowess. With a commanding 21-17, 21-15 victory, Sindhu stormed into quarter-finals of the BWF World Championships for the first time since 2019 to silence the doubters and re-established her as a major contender.
Going into the match, Sindhu was seen as the underdog. She had endured a string of early exits from recent tournaments, and many questioned her ability to compete with the sport's elite. Even the on-air commentators doubted her chances against Wang, who has had a sensational season, winning the China Open and reaching six finals. However, none of the pre-match chatter or statistics mattered once Sindhu entered the zone, displaying the aggressive, attacking style that earned her an Olympic silver medal and a World Championship gold in 2019. Her triumphant roars told the story as she conquered what many had deemed an impossible challenge.
Sindhu's return to her attacking best left Wang unsettled throughout the 48-minute encounter, reminding the world why she is a five-time World Championship medallist and a force to be reckoned with on the grandest stages.
Sindhu not only advanced to the quarterfinals but also extended her flawless record against Chinese competitors at the tournament. She now boasts a perfect 8-0 head-to-head advantage. She will now face the ninth seed, Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia, in the quarterfinal.
Talking about the mixed doubles, the Indian duo of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto pulled off a stunning upset. They defeated the fifth-seeded pair of Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet from Hong Kong with a score of 19-21, 21-12, 21-15. After losing a close first game, the Indian duo rallied back with a commanding performance in the second, then held their composure in the decisive third game to secure the win. Their victory marks the first time since 2018 that an Indian mixed doubles pair has reached the quarterfinals of this prestigious event.