P V Sindhu’s valiant campaign at the 2025 Singapore Open Super 750 came to a close in the Round of 16, as the Indian shuttler bowed out after a pulsating three-game encounter against China’s Chen Yu Fei.
In one of her grittiest performances in recent months, Sindhu fought hard but fell short in the decider, eventually losing 9-21, 21-18, 16-21 after 65 minutes of high-quality badminton.
This was not just another early-round exit. This was Sindhu at her fighting best—fierce, focused, and nearly flawless for large parts of the match. But, like so many times in recent memory, the finish eluded her. The match once again proved to be a case of “so near, yet so far.”
The Match: A Tale of Three Games
Sindhu got off to the worst possible start, looking completely out of rhythm in the opening game. Chen Yu Fei, the 2020 Olympic champion and current World No. 5, exploited Sindhu’s backhand relentlessly and ran away with the first game 21-9. The Indian ace struggled to find her length and timing, while Chen dictated the rallies with supreme control.
But if anyone thought this would be a straight-game affair, they underestimated Sindhu’s resolve. In the second game, she turned things around spectacularly. Down 7-9 at one stage, Sindhu went on a stunning run, winning 13 of the next 18 points to earn herself a game point at 20-12. Although she squandered six game points in a nervy stretch, she finally closed it 21-18 to force a decider—her first game taken off Chen since 2024.
The Decider: What Could Have Been
The final game was fiercely contested, with Sindhu showing glimpses of her vintage self—sharp smashes, improved net play, and intelligent point construction. She held leads at 11-8 and later at 14-12, seemingly on track to pull off one of her finest wins in recent times.
But as the pressure mounted, Sindhu became tentative. The aggression that had brought her back into the contest slowly faded. Chen, ever the tactician, upped her tempo and began targeting Sindhu’s backhand again. From 14-12 up, Sindhu managed just two more points, losing the decider 21-16. The turning point came not through one decisive moment, but through a gradual erosion of momentum—points gifted, hesitation in attack, and a brief mental lapse at the worst possible time.
Sindhu Still Has That Fire
Despite the result, this match stands out as one of the best Sindhu has played in the last 12 months. The second game in particular showed that the fire still burns within the two-time Olympic medallist. She played like a sherni, and while the defeat stings, there is optimism in the fight she showed.
Her inability to close out the third game, though, will raise questions. At 14-12, she had Chen on the back foot. Yet, the attacks ceased. Whether it was nerves, fatigue, or just a tactical error, the shift in approach allowed Chen to claw back and take control. Sindhu’s backhand defense—always a target for top opponents—was once again exposed in crunch moments.
It’s worth noting that the last time Sindhu beat Chen Yu Fei was in the semifinals of the 2019 World Championships. Since then, the head-to-head has tilted sharply in the Chinese star’s favor. Yet, Thursday’s clash was proof that Sindhu is still capable of pushing the very best.
Another Missed Opportunity
This isn’t the first time Sindhu has come close to a statement win before faltering in the final stretch. Just last year, she took Carolina Marin to three games in the same round at Singapore, only to fall away in the decider. A pattern is emerging—early momentum, a strong fightback, but a lack of finishing touch when it matters the most.
As she looks to rebuild after a couple of injury-riddled seasons, such close losses can either break confidence or build hunger. For her fans, there’s only hope: that this is the beginning of a stronger, more consistent Sindhu heading into the second half of the season.
Elsewhere: Prannoy Falters Too
It was a double blow for Indian badminton on Thursday, as HS Prannoy also bowed out in the Round of 16. The World No. 9 lost in straight games to France’s Christo Popov, ranked 23rd, going down 16-21, 14-21. What will hurt more is the fact that Prannoy was leading 14-8 in the first game before a dramatic collapse saw him lose 13 of the next 15 points.
This result extends Prannoy’s inconsistent run in 2025, with his only notable showing being a quarterfinal finish in Malaysia earlier this year. Against Popov, the Indian shuttler looked in control early but couldn’t maintain the pace.
The Road Ahead
For both Sindhu and Prannoy, the Singapore Open was a reminder of what they’re capable of—and what still needs fixing. Sindhu may have lost, but her performance against Chen Yu Fei was a small win in itself: it showed she still belongs on the big stage. Now, it’s about converting moments into matches.
“Train harder, come back stronger,” is what her fans will say—and Sindhu, knowing her, surely will.
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