23 October,2021 07:21 AM IST | Odense (Denmark) | PTI
PV Sindhu and India’s Sameer Verma
Returning to action after a break, India's double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu on Friday bowed out of the Denmark Open badminton tournament after losing in straight games to World No. 8 Korean An Seyoung in the women's singles quarter-finals here.
Playing her first tournament since winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in August, Sindhu couldn't match her fifth seeded young Korean rival, going down 11-21, 12-21 in 36 minutes.
Sindhu had also lost to An Seyoung in straight games the last time they clashed here two years ago in their only career meeting. The reigning world champion, who had taken a break to rejuvenate after a hectic Olympics campaign, just couldn't find a way across the attacking game of the Korean, who was always a step ahead during the contest.
An Seyoung made a superb start and took just six minutes to grab a massive seven-point lead at the break with Sindhu unable to find a crack in the Korean's game. The Indian tried to control the net but committed few unforced errors with the Korean showing great athleticism to return everything thrown at her.
The Korean dominated the forecourt and played some exceptional shots, including a few diving forehand returns, to lead 16-8. In the end, Sindhu netted to give 10 game points to the Korean, who sealed the opening game when the Indian erred again.
Sindhu tried to change her tactics by playing high lifts but she was not disciplined enough and after trailing 7-8 at one stage, she slipped to 8-11 at the break. It was a one-way traffic after the interval as An Seyoung jumped to 20-10 in a jiffy. Sindhu saved two match points before committing another error.
Meanwhile, Sameer Verma retired from his quarter-final match against Tommy Sugiarto after suffering an injury. The Indian lost the first game 17-21 before surrendering to the World No. 32, thus ending India's Denmark Open campaign. but it was curtains for Lakshya Sen at the Super 1000 tournament here.
Earlier, World No. 28 Sameer produced a sensational performance to outwit local hero Antonsen 21-14, 21-18 in a 50-minute men's singles battle. However, it proved to be too daunting a task for Lakhsya to match Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen as he thrashed the Indian 21-15, 21-7 in a lop-sided second-round contest.
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