Madrid Spain Masters 2024: P.V. Sindhu crashes out in quarters, Sikki-Sumeeth soar in mixed doubles

Former world champion loses marathon match to Supanida Katethong.

Former world champion P.V. Sindhu went down swinging against 2024 Thailand Masters runner-up Supanida Katethong in a quarterfinal at the Madrid Spain Masters 2024.

Sindhu, who historically dominated the Thai superstar with a head-to-head record of 5-3 leaning in her favour, failed to capitalize on her first game win, as Katethong wore her down to clinch the match.

Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist and the runner-up in the 2023 tournament didn’t have a good start to the match, falling behind 4-8 in the first game. However, the former world champion rallied to claim the game with a score of 26-24. But, the Rio Olympics silver medalist struggled to maintain her rhythm in the subsequent games, ultimately facing a loss with scores of 26- 24 17- 21 and 20-22.

The unexpected withdrawal of Spain’s Carolina Marin from the competition positioned Sindhu as a contender for the title. Yet, she faced a challenge from her Thai opponent. The runner-up of the 2022 India Open took advantage of Sindhu’s mistakes.

Throughout the match Sindhu displayed her emotions. Her frustration reached a peak when she smashed her racket resulting in a card issued by the chair umpire as a warning for misconduct.

Trending Indian Sports articles

• Top 10 most followed sports in India in 2024
• Top five all-time longest leaps in women’s long jump by Indian athletes
• Which Indian Shuttlers are in race to qualify for Paris Olympics after All England Open 2024?
• Can Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya still qualify for Paris Olympics 2024?
• Can Indian boxers still qualify for Paris Olympics 2024 after disappointment at 1st World boxing Qualifiers?
• List of Indian athletes to have secured qualification for Paris Olympics 2024

On a brighter note, India’s mixed doubles pair of N. Sikki Reddy and B. Sumeeth Reddy secured a victory over Indonesia’s fourth seeds Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati. Their 14-21, 21-11, 21-17 win propelled them into the semifinals.

However, the women’s doubles duo of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa faced disappointment. Seeded third, they fell to sixth-seeded Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chia Hsin and Teng Chun Hsun with scores of 13-21, 19-21 in the quarterfinals.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram