Archive · 21 Aug 2026
PV Sindhu’s 2026 World Championships Campaign Ends Against Wang
PV Sindhu was playing in the World Championships in New Delhi.
She hoped to win another medal at the tournament.
She lost a close three-game match to Wang Zhi Yi of China.
Wang won the first game, Sindhu won the second, and Wang took the deciding game.
Near the end, Wang stopped because of cramps.
Sindhu was unsure whether the injury was real or part of a strategy.
Wang said she was genuinely injured and had pushed herself hard.
Wang now moves on to the quarterfinals.
PV Sindhu lost 11-21, 21-15, 17-21 to World No. 3 Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals.
The defeat ended Sindhu’s hopes of winning a sixth World Championship medal at home.
Sindhu questioned whether Wang’s late-match cramps were genuine or tactical.
Wang said the cramps were genuine and resulted from pushing herself during the match.
Wang advanced to face Danish player Line Christophersen in the quarterfinals.
- Who
- PV Sindhu and Chinese player Wang Zhi Yi.
- What
- Wang defeated Sindhu in the pre-quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships.
- When
- Thursday; Wang’s quarterfinal was scheduled for the following day.
- Where
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
- Why
- Wang advanced because she won the match 11-21, 21-15, 17-21.
Sindhu’s Concern
Wang’s Explanation
Late-match cramps
Sindhu’s Concern
PV Sindhu said she did not know whether Wang’s cramps were a genuine injury or part of her tactics, and said she needed to stay focused on every point.
Wang’s Explanation
Wang Zhi Yi said the cramps were genuine, explaining that she had pushed herself hard and was really injured.
Effect on the match
Sindhu’s Concern
Sindhu viewed the stoppage as a momentum-breaker during a grueling deciding game.
Wang’s Explanation
Wang said her game plan worked and that she was proud of her performance.
- Round
- Pre-quarterfinal
- Score
- Wang Zhi Yi defeated PV Sindhu 11-21, 21-15, 17-21.
- Sindhu’s objective
- She was seeking a sixth World Championship medal at home.
- Wang’s ranking
- World No. 3
- Venue
- Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
- Wang’s next opponent
- Danish player Line Christophersen