Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Playing a final on BWF World Tour after more than a year, PV Sindhu went down against China’s Wang Zhi Yi 21-16, 5-21, 16-21 in a thrilling women’s singles final at Malaysia Masters 2024 here on Sunday.
Sindhu, the fifth-seeded player, hasn't won any tournament since the last Commonwealth Games in 2022. It was also the first final for the world no. 15 on the BWF world tour after more than a year. She had a great chance to return on the winning track ahead of the world's biggest sporting event - the Paris Olympics 2024, starting on July 26.
A double Olympics medallist, Sindhu, had a slightly better record (2-1)against her rival China’s Wang Zhi Yi before this encounter. A silver and bronze medallist in the last two editions of the Olympics, Sindhu had lost to Wang at the Arctic Open last year but has defeated the Chinese twice in three meetings.
Sindhu started exceptionally well in the decider after winning the opening game, taking a massive 11-3 lead as the title looked within her reach. However, she couldn't hold on to the lead and imploded after the change of sides. With a remarkable comeback in the final set, Wang secured an impressive 21-16 5-21 16-21 victory in a 79-minute women's singles final.