PV Sindhu showcased her trademark resilience at the China Open Super 1000 by defeating Japan’s sixth seed Tomoka Miyazaki 21-15, 8-21, 21-17 to enter the round of 16. The victory is especially significant, as it avenges her previous loss to Miyazaki and comes after a string of early exits in recent tournaments.
Sindhu, ranked world No. 15, started strong, reeling off seven consecutive points to dominate the first game. However, the 18-year-old Miyazaki reversed momentum in the second, stringing together nine straight points to take control and level the match. In the decider, Sindhu regrouped with more composure, maintaining a narrow but steady lead to seal the win in 62 minutes.
The win provides a much-needed boost for Sindhu, who has endured a difficult season with multiple early-round losses—including five first-round exits this year alone at high-profile events like the Japan Open, Indonesia Open, Singapore Open, and All England Open.
In men’s doubles, India’s top duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty cruised past Japan’s Kenya Mitsuhashi and Hiroki Okamura 21-13, 21-9 in just 31 minutes, displaying superb coordination and aggressive play. Currently ranked world No. 15, the pair is aiming to go beyond the semi-final barrier they've repeatedly hit this season, having lost in the last-four stage of the Malaysia Open, India Open, and Singapore Open.
Meanwhile, in women’s doubles, Indian hopes were dented as Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda suffered a straight-games defeat (12-21, 13-21) to Hong Kong’s Nga Ting Yeung Yeung and Pui Lam Yeung, exiting in the opening round.
Sindhu and the Satwik-Chirag duo now carry India’s key hopes forward in the tournament.
