Asian Games 2026: PV Sindhu Crashes Out in Quarterfinal as Chen Yu Fei Ends India’s Badminton Campaign

PV Sindhu’s Asian Games 2026 campaign came to an end in the women’s singles quarterfinals as Chen Yu Fei of China fought back from losing the opening game to defeat the Indian 11-21, 21-18, 21-10.

The defeat also brought the curtain down on India’s badminton campaign at the Asian Games. India returns from the competition with one badminton medal, the men’s team bronze secured after the team lost to China in the semifinal. For Sindhu, the result was particularly disappointing after she had made an impressive start and appeared firmly in control of the contest during the opening game.

Sindhu entered the quarterfinal against Chen Yu Fei after a demanding few days. She had already played two matches the previous day, but there was little sign of fatigue at the beginning of the contest. The Indian came out aggressively and immediately put pressure on Chen.

Sindhu led 11-8 at the first-game interval, having at one stage established a 7-2 advantage. Chen attempted to fight back, demonstrating the ability to recover from deficits that would become increasingly important later in the match. However, Sindhu maintained her control and continued to find ways to put the Chinese player under pressure.

The Indian eventually pulled away decisively and closed out the opening game 21-11.

The manner of the victory made the result particularly encouraging for Sindhu. Against a player of Chen’s quality, winning the opening game by 10 points gave her a strong platform from which to try and secure a place in the semifinals.

The second game proved considerably more competitive. Neither player was able to establish sustained control for long periods as the score moved back and forth. Chen initially threatened to create separation, but Sindhu responded strongly. The Indian managed to recover from 4-8 down, bringing the game back to 8-9 and then levelling at 9-9. Sindhu subsequently moved ahead 11-10 at the interval, keeping the momentum from the opening game alive.

The Chinese player, however, remained patient and continued to make Sindhu work for every point. The contest remained close deep into the second game. Sindhu was within touching distance at 17-18, but Chen produced the decisive run at precisely the wrong moment for the Indian. Chen won four consecutive points to close out the game 21-18 and level the quarterfinal at one game apiece.

Suddenly, the match had changed completely.

The deciding game began with Chen carrying the momentum from her second-game comeback. Sindhu was unable to reproduce the attacking dominance that had characterised the opening game, while Chen increasingly dictated the exchanges. The Chinese player moved into an 11-7 lead at the interval, leaving Sindhu needing another significant turnaround.

The Indian had already demonstrated in the second game that she could recover from a deficit, but this time the gap continued to grow. Chen's consistency and ability to extend rallies began to test Sindhu, while the Indian struggled to regain the control she had shown earlier in the match. From 11-7, Chen continued to build her advantage and moved closer to completing the comeback.

Sindhu eventually found herself unable to stop the Chinese player's momentum. Chen won the deciding game 21-10, completing a 21-11, 18-21, 10-21 victory and securing her place in the semifinals.

For Sindhu, the defeat brought an abrupt end to a campaign that had initially shown considerable promise. She had started the quarterfinal with a commanding performance, taking the first game 21-11 and looking comfortable against Chen. However, the Chinese player gradually changed the complexion of the contest. The second-game comeback proved crucial, and once Chen established control in the decider, Sindhu was unable to find another response.

The result also ended India's hopes of adding another badminton medal at the Asian Games. India's only badminton medal from the campaign came in the men's team event, where the Indian team secured bronze after losing to China in the semifinal.

The badminton competition had produced several encouraging performances from Indian players during the Asian Games, but the knockout stages ultimately proved challenging. Sindhu had reached the quarterfinals and looked capable of progressing further after her strong opening game against Chen. Instead, the Chinese player demonstrated her ability to absorb the pressure, change the momentum and finish the contest strongly.

The final score, 21-11, 18-21, 10-21, tells the story of a match that changed dramatically after the opening game. For Sindhu, the Asian Games campaign ends in the quarterfinals. For India, the badminton competition is now complete with one medal from the men's team event.

Chen Yu Fei, meanwhile, moves into the semifinals after producing a three-game comeback against one of India's most experienced badminton stars.