Indonesia Open: World champion PV Sindhu crashes out in semifinals after losing to Ratchanok Intanon

World champion PV Sindhu suffered yet another semifinal defeat on Saturday as she crashed out of the Indonesia Open Super 1000 event after going down in three games against Ratchanok Intanon.

The seventh-ranked Indian clinched the first game in just 17 minutes and was looking good to carry on the momentum in the next one as well but just couldn’t handle the fight back from her Thai opponent, who registered a 15-21, 21-19, 21-14 victory in 54 minutes.

This was the fifth time in succession that Sindhu crashed out of a badminton tournament in the semifinals this year while Ratchanok booked her first final appearance of 2021.

The 26-year-old Sindhu had made it to the last four in Indonesia Masters last week and also at the French Open in October. Sindhu, world no 7, came into the match with a 4-6 head-to-head count, having lost to the Thai player twice in the last two meetings.

The Indian made a good start, slowly moving to a 8-3 lead early on. Ratchanok narrowed it down to 9-10 before Sindhu entered the break with a slender one-point advantage. Sindhu grabbed three straight points to march ahead and didn’t look back as she pocketed the opening game.

Ratchanok got her bearings back and came back roaring into the match as she build up a lead of 11-7 at the interval in the second game. The Thai shuttler grabbed nine of the next 10 points from 12-8 to leave Sindhu stranded at the other side.

It was Sindhu who handed 11 game points to Ratchanok after going to the net and the Thailand shuttler sealed it with a smash on her opponent’s forehand. The world no 8 Thai continued her impressive run in the decider as she ran to a healthy 11-6 lead with Sindhu committing too many errors.

Sindhu resumed with a cross court drop but a misjudgement at the backline and then an error at the net meant Ratchanok continued to move ahead. The Indian had a good run of four points as she reached 13-16 but Ratchanok once again snapped the run of points and moved to seven match points.

A net error delayed the inevitable as Ratchanok sealed the contest with a precise return at the forecourt. Sindhu, the reigning world champion, last reached the finals at the Swiss Open. (With PTI inputs)