Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu was knocked out in the opening round of the Malaysia Masters 2025 after a tough three-game loss to Vietnam’s Nguyễn Thùy Linh on Wednesday at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
Sindhu, ranked 16th in the world, struggled in the first game but fought back in the second to push the match into a decider. However, Nguyễn, ranked 26th, regained control in the final game to win 21-11, 14-21, 21-15 in 63 minutes.
This defeat marks Sindhu’s fourth first-round exit in her last five tournaments, continuing a difficult season. Her best result so far in 2025 remains a quarter-final appearance at the India Open. Nguyễn Thùy Linh has now beaten Sindhu twice in four career meetings.
India’s women’s singles campaign ended entirely on Day 2, as Unnati Hooda, Aakarshi Kashyap, and Malvika Bansod also lost their opening matches.
Indian Men Score Big Wins
While the women faltered, India’s male shuttlers had a strong showing.
World No. 35 HS Prannoy came back from a game down to defeat fifth seed and world No. 12 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan, 19-21, 21-17, 21-16. Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, now ranked 65th, upset sixth seed Lu Guangzu of China 23-21, 13-21, 21-11.
Sathish Karunakaran pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the day, defeating world bronze medalist and third seed Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei in straight games, 21-13, 21-14.
Ayush Shetty also advanced with a comeback win over Canada’s Brian Yang, 20-22, 21-10, 21-8. Shetty recently reached the semi-finals at the Taipei Open.
Mixed Doubles Teams Fall Short
India’s mixed doubles teams had a disappointing day. Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh lost 21-12, 21-10 to top seeds Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin of China. Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde were defeated 21-10, 21-14 by fourth seeds Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui, also from China. The pair of Sathish Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath also exited after a 21-15, 21-16 loss to Indonesia’s Verrell Yustin Mulia and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati.
Only Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto secured a win in mixed doubles, beating Indonesia’s Adnan Maulana and Indah Cahya Sari Jamil 21-18, 15-21, 21-14.
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