The Indian shuttler showed glimpses of aggression but struggled to sustain pressure against the world No. 1, extending her losing streak against the Korean star.
India’s campaign at the Singapore Open Super 750 came to an end on Friday after double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu bowed out in the women’s singles quarterfinals, losing in straight games to world No. 1 An Se Young of South Korea.
Sindhu fought hard in patches and displayed moments of attacking brilliance but was unable to maintain consistency against the reigning Olympic champion, who secured a 21-17, 21-14 victory in a match lasting 48 minutes.
The defeat further extended Sindhu’s difficult run against An, marking her ninth consecutive loss to the Korean star. The ace shuttler has managed to take just one game off An during this stretch, underlining the South Korean’s growing dominance in their rivalry.
Facing one of the most in-form players on the circuit, Sindhu entered the contest with a challenging task. An has enjoyed an exceptional season, suffering only a single defeat this year and continuing to establish herself as one of badminton’s most dominant players.
Sindhu adopted an aggressive approach from the start, relying on powerful smashes and quick interceptions to challenge her opponent. However, An’s superior movement and sharp control helped the Korean establish an early lead in the opening game.
Trailing at the mid-game interval, Sindhu mounted a spirited comeback and narrowed the gap with a series of attacking shots. At one stage, she came within touching distance after winning a long rally and reducing the deficit to two points.
Yet, a couple of costly errors at crucial moments shifted momentum back in An’s favour, allowing the Korean to close out the opening game.
The second game proved more difficult for Sindhu as An raced to an early advantage, forcing the Indian onto the defensive. Although Sindhu gradually regained rhythm and attempted to close the gap with some aggressive shot-making, An maintained control with precise placement and strong retrieval skills.
Sindhu briefly threatened a comeback midway through the second game after winning a demanding rally and cutting the deficit. But a string of unforced errors dented her chances, while An’s relentless consistency made it difficult for the Indian to recover.
The Korean eventually sealed victory comfortably to move into the semifinals, continuing her impressive run at the tournament.
Despite the defeat, Sindhu showed flashes of the attacking game that once made her one of the sport’s most feared competitors, though inconsistency continues to remain a hurdle against elite opposition.
