When PV Sindhu steps onto the court at the Adidas Arena in Paris for her women’s singles quarter-final against Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani at the BWF World Championships 2025, the moment will be far larger than just a spot in the last four.
It is a meeting of generations, ambitions, and legacies an established legend seeking to reclaim her place among the elite, and a rising challenger eager to carve out her own name. This contest has all the makings of a defining encounter: Sindhu’s quest to equal the record of six World Championships medals set against Wardani’s pursuit of a career breakthrough. The tension lies not only in their tight head-to-head record (2-2) but also in the sharp contrast between Sindhu’s rediscovered form and Wardani’s surging momentum through 2025.
For most of the year, P.V. Sindhu’s story has been one of struggle. Injuries, patchy form, and persistent questions about her motivation had cast doubts about whether the two-time Olympic medallist could once again rise to the occasion. Her best result in 2025 before Paris was a quarter-final finish at the India Open a modest return by her lofty standards. Yet, true to her reputation as a big-stage performer, Sindhu has found her rhythm precisely when it matters most.
Her pre-quarterfinal victory over World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi was a statement to critics and fans alike. Winning 21-19, 21-15 in just 48 minutes, she displayed what many described as her “vintage best” a combination of explosive power, sharp anticipation, and unwavering focus.
Importantly, she has not dropped a single game in three matches en route to the quarter-finals.
What stood out in that match against Wang was her tactical clarity. Sindhu used her height and wingspan to push her opponent deep, then cut points short with sharp smashes and quick net kills. Even when Wang rallied back to level the first game at 19-19, Sindhu remained calm, closing the game with four straight points. It was a display of the composure and match temperament that has long been her trademark. For Sindhu, this tournament has become more than just about results. It is a battle to prove that she is far from finished, that her name still belongs at the top table of world badminton.
Victory in Paris would give her a sixth World Championships medal, equalling the record held by Zhang Ning and Carolina Marín, and reaffirming her status as one of the sport’s greatest ever.
Wardani’s Rise: The Challenger Who Believes
At 23, Putri Kusuma Wardani represents Indonesia’s new wave of badminton talent. Ranked World No. 9, she has already collected 27 wins in 2025, marking her as one of the circuit’s most consistent performers this year. Her rise has been steady, and Paris offers the perfect stage to announce her arrival among the elite. Wardani has already beaten Sindhu convincingly once this year, at the Sudirman Cup. That match, which ended 21-12, 21-13 in her favour, was not just a win it was a dismantling of a legend.
Wardani neutralized Sindhu’s attacking arsenal with quick footwork, sharp angles, and a relentless pace that forced the Indian into errors.
This psychological edge cannot be overlooked. For a young shuttler, knowing she has recently beaten her quarter-final opponent in straight games will add confidence. For Wardani, the opportunity now is to replicate that dominance on an even bigger stage and cement herself as the face of Indonesia’s future.
Sindhu and Wardani’s head-to-head currently stands at 2-2, but the story within those numbers paints an intriguing picture:
| Date | Tournament | Winner | Score |
| Apr 2025 | Sudirman Cup | Putri Kusuma Wardani | 21-12, 21-13 |
| 2022 | Asian Games | P.V. Sindhu | 21-16, 21-16 |
| Mar 2023 | Spain Masters | P.V. Sindhu | 21-14, 21-16 |
| Mar 2023 | Swiss Open | Putri Kusuma Wardani | 21-15, 12-21,21-18 |
The Sudirman Cup result looms largest because it was so decisive and recent. Sindhu’s Asian Games win in 2022 and her straight-games triumph at the Spain Masters in 2023 showcased her ability to dominate Wardani, but those memories are distant compared to the emphatic defeat she suffered earlier this year. That sets up Paris as a potential turning point in this rivalry. Will Sindhu prove that her form against Wang Zhi Yi was no one-off, or will Wardani confirm that the balance of power has shifted in her favour?
Tactical Chess: Power vs. Agility
The tactical battleground will revolve around whether Sindhu can consistently execute her power game against Wardani’s speed and resilience.
- Sindhu’s strengths lie in her ability to dictate rallies with steep smashes, her reach at the net, and her experience in closing out tight games. Her renewed aggression and sharper shot selection, seen against Wang, suggest that she is ready to play on the front foot again.
- Wardani’s strengths are her agility, quick recovery between shots, and ability to extend rallies. At the Sudirman Cup, she frustrated Sindhu into errors by denying her rhythm and keeping rallies alive. If she can once again absorb Sindhu’s power and force her into longer exchanges, the match could tilt in her favour.
The contest is also psychological. Sindhu carries the weight of legacy and expectation every rally she plays is watched with the question of whether she can still perform at the highest level. Wardani, by contrast, brings the hunger of youth and the confidence of a recent victory. Whoever handles the pressure better will likely prevail. For Sindhu, this quarter-final is about more than just another medal. It is about proving resilience, about silencing doubts that have followed her for much of 2025, and about keeping alive the dream of another golden chapter in her storied career.
For Wardani, it is about transition stepping out of the shadow of established names and beginning to write her own. A win over Sindhu here would not just propel her into the semi-finals but would signal that she is ready to take on the mantle of one of badminton’s next big stars. The quarter-final between P.V. Sindhu and Putri Kusuma Wardani is set up as one of the most compelling matches of the World Championships. On one side stands a legend with a point to prove, chasing a sixth medal that would elevate her legacy even further.
On the other stands a fearless challenger, eager to show that her time is now.
With their head-to-head tied, their styles clashing, and their ambitions colliding, Paris will witness not just a match but a narrative duel redemption versus arrival. Whatever the outcome, this contest will leave an indelible mark on the tournament and shape the next chapter of both players’ careers.
