PV Sindhu’s 2026 season has begun with authority, confidence, and a sense of purpose that has been missing for a while at the very top tier of the BWF Tour.
Her straight-games demolition of Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 was not just another early-round win it was a performance that underlined intent, evolution, and belief.
Sindhu brushed aside the world No. 9 and eighth seed Miyazaki 21-8, 21-13 in the pre-quarterfinals, advancing to her first Super 1000 quarterfinal in four years. For a player of Sindhu’s stature, that statistic alone underlines how significant this result is. More importantly, it was the manner of the victory that stood out power-packed, controlled, and tactically sharp from the first rally to the last.
From the opening exchanges, Sindhu looked completely in command. She dictated the pace, controlled the length of rallies, and never allowed Miyazaki to settle into a rhythm. The Japanese teenager, one of the fastest-rising players on the circuit, was repeatedly pushed into defensive positions, rushed at the net and forced into hurried lifts under sustained pressure.
Sindhu’s speed around the forecourt was particularly striking. Her net play often an area opponents have tried to exploit in recent seasons — was crisp and decisive. Tight tumbling net shots, quick interceptions and sharp pushes denied Miyazaki any chance to play her natural fast-paced attacking game. When rallies stretched, Sindhu’s clears found depth and width, constantly resetting the court in her favour.
The first game was over almost before it began. Sindhu surged ahead with a series of attacking sequences, mixing steep smashes with controlled half-smashes to create openings. Miyazaki, visibly rattled, struggled to read the variations and was reduced to reacting rather than constructing points. The 21-8 scoreline reflected Sindhu’s complete dominance.
The second game followed a similar pattern, though Miyazaki attempted to slow the pace and engage in longer rallies. Sindhu responded with patience and maturity, choosing her moments to attack rather than forcing winners. The scoreline of 21-13 never truly threatened to swing, as Sindhu maintained a healthy buffer throughout.
This was not reckless aggression. This was measured, intelligent badminton, a sign of a player fully aware of her strengths and confident in executing a clear plan.
A huge share of the credit for this resurgence must go to coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama. Since taking over, Irwansyah has worked quietly but effectively behind the scenes, helping Sindhu refine her movement, sharpen her net game, and bring greater tactical clarity to her singles play. The transformation has not happened overnight, but performances like this suggest that the process is firmly on track.
Sindhu looked lighter on her feet, more balanced in her recovery, and more assured in decision-making — all hallmarks of strong coaching and consistent training. Perhaps most importantly, she appeared mentally calm. Even when rallies extended, there was no sense of panic or frustration, just clarity and control.
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For Sindhu, this quarterfinal berth carries added significance. Super 1000 events represent the highest level of weekly competition on the BWF Tour, and her absence from the last eight at this level for four years has been one of the quieter narratives around her career. Breaking that barrier at the very first major tournament of the season sends a powerful message — both to her rivals and to herself.
The road ahead will only get tougher. A potential quarterfinal clash with Akane Yamaguchi looms, a matchup that has defined much of Sindhu’s recent career. Yamaguchi’s relentless retrieval and speed pose a very different challenge, one that will test Sindhu’s patience and physical conditioning. However, based on what she showed against Miyazaki, Sindhu will enter any such encounter with renewed belief.
Elsewhere, it was a mixed day for Indian badminton. Lakshya Sen’s inconsistency continued into the new year as he went down to Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu 20-22, 15-21. Despite flashes of quality, Sen struggled to close out key moments, a concern that has followed him over the past season. In contrast, Sindhu’s ability to seize control early and finish decisively highlighted the difference in momentum between the two.
For Indian badminton fans, Sindhu’s performance offered a rare and welcome sense of assurance. This was not a scrappy win, not a narrow escape, but a statement against a top-10 opponent, on a Super 1000 stage, at the very start of the Olympic cycle towards Los Angeles 2028.
If this match is any indication, PV Sindhu’s 2026 campaign is not about merely staying relevant. It is about reasserting herself among the elite. And with Irwansyah Adi Pratama standing rock-solid behind her, guiding this evolution, Indian badminton may be witnessing the start of another serious Sindhu chapter one built on control, confidence, and clarity.
