PV Sindhu exits Asian Games 2026 quarter-finals: Bright start not enough as Chen Yufei completes comeback

PV Sindhu's individual campaign at the Asian Games 2026 ended on Sunday. The two-time Olympic medallist lost to China's Chen Yufei in the women's singles quarter-final, going down 21-11, 18-21, 10-21 in Aichi-Nagoya. Sindhu started brilliantly, winning the opening game 21-11 without much resistance from her Chinese opponent. Chen responded in the second game, gradually closing the gap and levelling the match with a 21-18 win. The deciding game turned on a marathon 122-second rally early in the third game. Chen seized control from that point, pulling away steadily to close out 21-10. The defeat ends Sindhu's singles campaign at the Games. Her dominant start proved insufficient to secure a place in the last four. Chen's patience and tactical adjustment neutralized Sindhu's power. She did not try to hit harder; she slowed the rhythm, pushed Sindhu deep into the court and waited for the physical drop. The result marks a below-par finish for one of India's most successful shuttlers, while Chen confirms her status as a serious contender for the Asian Games gold.