PV Sindhu Falls Agonisingly Short Against Chen Yufei After Holding Four Match Points at China Open 2026

PV Sindhu's impressive run at the China Open Super 1000 came to a heartbreaking end on Thursday as the Indian star squandered four match points before losing to Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei in a high-quality Round of 16 encounter that lasted nearly 90 minutes.

Sindhu, who had entered the match fresh off a three-game victory over compatriot Unnati Hooda less than 20 hours earlier, pushed the World No. 4 to the limit before eventually going down 21-16, 20-22, 18-21 in one of the most gripping contests of the tournament.

The result ended Sindhu's campaign in Changzhou, but it also underlined the resurgence of the former world champion, who once again demonstrated that she remains capable of challenging the very best players in women's badminton.

The contest began with Chen Yufei looking the sharper of the two players. The Chinese star raced into a 12-6 lead in the opening game, using her trademark consistency and excellent court coverage to force errors from Sindhu. However, the Indian responded in spectacular fashion.

Instead of allowing the deficit to grow, Sindhu gradually increased the pace of her attack, finding greater accuracy with her smashes while dominating the longer rallies. Her improved movement and aggressive shot selection completely changed the momentum.

Point by point, Sindhu clawed her way back before reeling off a remarkable run to claim the opening game 21-16. It was a reminder of the fighting spirit that has defined her career and seemed to put her firmly in control of the contest.

Four Match Points Slip Away

The second game proved to be the turning point. Both players produced badminton of the highest quality, with breathtaking rallies showcasing exceptional athleticism, defence and tactical awareness. Sindhu gradually built another advantage and appeared destined to wrap up the match in straight games.

At 20-16, the Indian held four consecutive match points. Victory looked inevitable. Yet Chen Yufei showed exactly why she remains one of the world's most consistent performers. Refusing to panic, the Chinese star tightened her defence, reduced her unforced errors and forced Sindhu into playing one extra shot in almost every rally.

The momentum shifted dramatically. One point became two. Two became three. Before Sindhu could regain control, Chen had erased all four match points and stunned the Indian by taking the game 22-20. It was a remarkable comeback and one that completely transformed the complexion of the match.

For Sindhu, the missed opportunities will undoubtedly remain the most painful memories of an otherwise outstanding performance.

Losing such a closely contested second game would have affected many players. Instead, Sindhu continued to fight. The deciding game remained evenly poised for long periods, with neither player managing to establish a decisive advantage. Despite playing from the less favourable end of the court for parts of the decider, Sindhu continued to attack aggressively and matched Chen rally for rally.

However, as the match entered its closing stages, Chen's remarkable consistency proved decisive. The Chinese ace committed fewer errors, defended brilliantly under pressure and capitalised on a handful of loose returns from Sindhu to edge ahead. Although the Indian continued to battle until the final point, Chen eventually closed out the deciding game 21-18, completing a dramatic comeback after nearly an hour and a half of world-class badminton.

Sindhu's performance becomes even more impressive when viewed in the context of the tournament schedule. The Indian had completed an exhausting three-game match against Unnati Hooda on Wednesday before returning to court less than 20 hours later for another physically demanding encounter. Chen Yufei, in contrast, had played her opening-round match on Tuesday morning, giving her considerably more recovery time before the Round of 16 clash.

While scheduling is part of every tournament, the difference in recovery time was noticeable, particularly during a match that featured several long, gruelling rallies. Despite the physical demands, Sindhu showed outstanding fitness and endurance, matching Chen's pace throughout the 90-minute contest. Her ability to maintain intensity until the closing stages offers encouraging signs ahead of the season's biggest events.

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Although the defeat will hurt, there are plenty of positives for Sindhu to take away from China. Just days after winning the Japan Open, she once again demonstrated that she can compete toe-to-toe with one of the world's best players. Her movement looked significantly sharper than earlier in the season, her attacking game was effective, and perhaps most importantly, she displayed the physical resilience required to endure one of the longest matches of the tournament.

The narrow loss also suggests that Sindhu is steadily regaining the consistency that made her one of the dominant players in world badminton. If she can reproduce this level at the upcoming BWF World Championships, she will be capable of challenging any opponent. The result also carries ranking implications, with Sindhu hoping to retain a top-eight ranking and secure a favourable seeding for the World Championships.

Matches between PV Sindhu and Chen Yufei have produced some memorable battles over the years, and this encounter added another chapter to their long-standing rivalry. The quality on display reflected why both players have spent years among the world's elite. The match featured relentless attacking play, extraordinary defensive retrievals and sustained tactical exchanges rarely seen outside the biggest tournaments.

It also served as a reminder of the drama produced by badminton's traditional 21-point scoring system, with momentum swinging repeatedly until the very end.

For Sindhu, the defeat will sting because victory was within touching distance. Holding four match points against one of the world's best players is an opportunity few get, and letting it slip will inevitably leave a sense of what might have been.

Yet beyond the disappointment lies an encouraging reality. Sindhu has rediscovered the intensity, fitness and confidence needed to challenge the sport's elite once again. If this performance is any indication, India's two-time Olympic medallist will head into the World Championships believing that another deep run on the biggest stage is well within her reach.