PV Sindhu’s 2026 Malaysia Open Journey Ends: World No. 2 Wang Zhiyi Halts Indian Star in Semifinal
PV Sindhu Malaysia Open 2026
The Malaysian Open 2026 journey for Indian badminton icon and double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu concluded in a hard-fought semifinal battle. On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Sindhu faced the World No. 2, Wang Zhiyi of China, in a high-stakes encounter at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. Despite showing flashes of her vintage aggressive form, Sindhu eventually went down in straight games, 16-21, 15-21, bringing an end to the Indian challenge at the Super 1000 tournament.
Match Analysis: A Tale of Two Games
Sindhu, currently ranked 18th as she returns from a foot injury, showed great promise in the early stages of both games but struggled to maintain the intensity against the clinical Chinese shuttler.
- First Game: The match began with both players trading powerful smashes. At 14-14, the game was anyone’s to take. However, a series of unforced errors from Sindhu allowed Wang to seize the momentum and close the set 21-16.
- Second Game: Sindhu looked set to force a decider after racing to an 11-6 lead at the mid-game interval. However, Wang Zhiyi regrouped brilliantly, winning 9 consecutive points to flip the scoreline. Sindhu’s rhythm faltered under pressure, leading to a 21-15 finish in favor of the Chinese star.
- Encouraging Comeback: Despite the loss, reaching the semifinals in her first tournament after a long injury layoff is a significant confidence booster for Sindhu as she looks to break back into the top 10 this year.
Malaysia Open 2026: Indian Contingent Summary
With Sindhu’s exit, the Indian campaign at the season-opening event has officially ended.
| Player/Pair | Round Reached | Result |
| PV Sindhu | Semifinals | Lost to Wang Zhiyi (CHN) |
| Satwik-Chirag | Quarterfinals | Lost to Alfian/Fikri (INA) |
| Lakshya Sen | Round of 16 | Lost to Lee Cheuk Yiu (HKG) |
| Ayush Shetty | Round of 16 | Lost to Shi Yuqi (CHN) |
What’s Next: India Open 2026
The focus now shifts to the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026, a Super 750 event scheduled to take place from January 13 to 18 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
- Sindhu’s Opener: PV Sindhu is set to face Vietnam’s Thuy Linh Nguyen in the first round. Interestingly, a victory could lead to a second-round rematch against Wang Zhiyi.
- Home Favorites: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be looking to reclaim their title on home turf, while Lakshya Sen faces a tricky all-Indian opening clash against youngster Ayush Shetty.
While the semifinal loss is a setback, the “Sindhu of old” seems to be returning. Fans are hopeful that the home crowd in Delhi will provide the necessary spark for a title win next week.
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