Indian badminton ace PV Sindhu produced a scintillating performance to defeat top-seed and world number six Han Yue of China in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Masters 2024 on Friday. The world number 15 Sindhu overcame her Chinese opponent in a thrilling three-game match, securing a 21-13, 14-21, 21-12 victory in 55 minutes to book her place in the semi-finals.
Sindhu, who had recently faced a defeat against Han Yue at the Badminton Asia Championships, managed to turn the tables in this encounter. Her victory not only avenged that previous loss but also highlighted her dominance and strategic prowess on the court.
Sindhu began the match on a strong note, quickly establishing an 11-5 lead at the first mid-game break. Despite a spirited comeback by Han Yue, who narrowed the gap to 13-16, Sindhu maintained her composure and clinched five consecutive points to take the first game 21-13.
The second game saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Han Yue came out aggressively, racing to a 5-0 lead. Sindhu struggled to find her rhythm as Han continued to dominate, extending her lead to 15-2. Although Sindhu mounted a late fightback, it was not enough to overcome the deficit, and Han comfortably won the second game 21-14.
In the decisive third game, Sindhu regrouped and executed a flawless strategy, opening up a significant 11-3 lead at the mid-game interval. Her early dominance proved insurmountable for Han, who could not close the gap. Sindhu sealed the third game 21-12, helping her advance to the semi-finals.
Sindhu’s next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the quarter-final match between Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani and Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan. Regardless of who she faces, Sindhu will enter the semi-finals with confidence and momentum on her side.
In another quarter-final match, Ashmita Chaliha faced a challenging opponent in the form of sixth-seeded Zhang Yi Man. Coming off a significant victory over world number 10 Beiwen Zhang of the USA, Chaliha fought hard but ultimately succumbed to Zhang in straight games, losing 21-10, 21-15. Despite her spirited effort, Chaliha was unable to control the game, marking the end of her impressive run in the tournament.
Sindhu’s performance in the Malaysia Masters says a lot about her tenacity and skill. Overcoming a higher-ranked opponent like Han Yue is a significant achievement and bodes well for her prospects in the semi-finals. As she continues her quest for the title, Sindhu will need to maintain her high level of play and adaptability to secure further victories.
