PV Sindhu fails to defend title

HUELVA: It wasn't a good day for defending women's champion PV Sindhu, who lost to familiar foe Tai Tzu Ying in the women's singles quarter-finals and was knocked out of the tournament.

The top-seeded Tai Tzu beat Sindhu 21-17, 21-13 in the women's singles quarter-finals, which lasted 42 minutes, to end the Indian badminton ace's title defence.

Reigning world champion Sindhu had a nervous start with Tai Tzu rushing to the 9-3 lead in the first game. She amped her pace with aggressive cross-court shots but the Chinese Taipei shuttler was clever with her deceptions and managed to win the opening game.

In the second game, Sindhu gave better competition to her opponent but could not quite take a sizable lead at any point. Tai Tzu frequently employed her drop shots to catch the Indian out and after being tied 12-12 in the second game, the Chinese Taipei shuttler surged ahead to wrap up the match.

This is the first time that world No. 1 Tai Tzu has progressed past the quarters at the badminton world championships. She had defeated Sindhu in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year. IANS

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