Japan Masters: PV Sindhu bows out after losing to Michelle Li in pre-quarters

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu was knocked out after losing to Canada's Michelle Li in the pre-quarter-finals of the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 tournament on Thursday.

In Short

• PV Sindhu lost to Michelle Li at Japan Masters
• Sindhu won first game 21-17, lost next two
• India's run at Japan Masters ends with Sindhu's loss

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu crashed out after losing to Canada's Michelle Li in the pre-quarter-finals of the Japan Masters Super 500 tournament on Thursday. The world number 20 fell to Li, ranked 23rd, in a grueling three-game match that ended 21-17, 16-21, 17-21 in favor of the Canadian after one hour and 15 minutes of intense play.

Sindhu started strong, winning the first game 21-17. Both players demonstrated impressive control and precision, but Sindhu managed to edge ahead, leveraging her attacking play to carve out a lead before the interval. After the break, she continued to push forward, sealing the first game on her fourth game-point opportunity.

In the second game, however, Li countered with remarkable agility and shot selection, seizing control of the rallies and gaining momentum to level the match at 21-16. Her tactical adjustments disrupted Sindhu's rhythm and set the stage for a decisive third game.

The final game was a nail-biter, with Sindhu initially leading 4-1 and maintaining a narrow lead of 11-9 at the changeover. But Li's relentless focus saw her claw back into contention, ultimately going on a late-game surge to clinch the victory 21-17. This win marks only the third time Li has triumphed over Sindhu in their 13 encounters.

With Sindhu's loss, India's run at the Japan Masters ended on a disappointing note. Earlier in the tournament, Lakshya Sen faced a heart-wrenching loss in the men's singles opening round, falling 22-20, 17-21, 16-21 to Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao after squandering a one-game lead. Women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also suffered an early exit, struggling to gain traction and ultimately conceding to lower-ranked opponents in the first round.

This loss continues a challenging year for India's badminton contingent, as Lakshya Sen, Treesa Jolly, and Gayatri Gopichand also exited the Japan Masters early. Lakshya Sen, despite a promising start, lost in his opening-round match against Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao 22-20, 17-21, 16-21. The women's doubles team of Jolly and Gopichand also suffered a disappointing first-round exit, extending their series of early losses.