'I will go back and see what improvements need to be done,' - a dejected PV Sindhu reacts after her runners-up finish at Malaysia Masters 2024

PV Sindhu has failed to win a single title since Singapore Open in 2022.

Indian shuttler PV Sindhu squandered a massive lead in the deciding game to suffer a heartbreaking loss against China’s Wang Zhi Yi in the summit clash of the Malaysia Masters 2024 Super 500 tournament on Sunday.

The two-time Olympic medalist was cruising at 11-3 up in the deciding game after pocketing the opening game, but then suffered an inexplicable meltdown to go down 21-16, 5-21, 16-21 in a marathon 79-minute final.

ALSO READ: PV Sindhu’s title drought extends as she goes down to Wang Zhi Yi in final

“It’s sad that I didn’t get the result that I had expected. I should have pulled it off, maintaining the lead (in the decider), but there were really good rallies and she (Wang) also came back,” a dejected Sindhu said after the match.

The 15th ranked Indian started strongly, using her height and reach to great advantage to take the opening game 21-16 with a barrage of smashes targeted at Wang’s body.

However, Sindhu’s game unravelled in the second game as she struggled with the draft, failing to control the shuttle and conceding a 5-21 demolition to allow her Chinese opponent back into the contest.

Sindhu regrouped in the decider, racing to an 11-3 lead at the interval by returning to her tactics of using the smash and clinging tight to the net. But the change of ends coupled with her exertions over the week seemed to catch up with the 28-year-old.

“When I’d taken the 13-8 lead, 11-3 lead, I should have maintained that,” Sindhu rued about her inability to close out the match from a position of strength.

Wang scripted an amazing recovery, winning 13 of the next 16 points to turn the tables and capture her first BWF World Tour title of the season.

“I gave her a huge lead. But the third game I was on point, I was doing well. Maybe I should have (won),” admitted Sindhu, who was bidding for her first title since the Singapore Open in July 2022.

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While the loss extended Sindhu’s title drought, her performance over the week will be an encouraging sign ahead of her bid for a third Olympic medal at the Paris Games in July-August.

“Overall, I can say that it’s been a very good match. It’s a bit disappointing, but a lot of positives to take from this match and the whole tournament as well,” said the former world champion.

“I will go back and see what improvements need to be done with my coach and of course prepare for Singapore. It’s important that you keep pumping up, you keep pushing yourself, you keep encouraging yourself in these low times.”

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