New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- Walking into the Adidas Arena on Tuesday, PV Sindhu didn't know what to expect in her BWF World Championships opener against Bulgarian Kaloyana Nalbantova. Ranked No.69 in the world, the 19-year-old is a relatively unknown entity on the circuit who has just started playing at the senior level, coming from a country with no pedigree in badminton.

But what transpired in the next few minutes will ensure Sindhu remembers her teenaged opponent for some time to come. At 5 feet 9 inches - almost as tall as Sindhu - Nalbantova unleashed excellent shots against the former world champion as she threatened to take the opening game off Sindhu. However, experience came into play as Sindhu saved two game points before winning 23-...