Bangkok, May 15 -- In a clash between former and reigning world champions, India's PV Sindhu fell agonisingly short against Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in the women's singles quarter-finals at the Thailand Open 2026 badminton here on Friday.
Sindhu, the 2019 badminton world champion and current No. 12 in women's singles rankings, took the opening game and appeared on course for a place in the semi-finals after a four-pointlead at the second mid-game interval of the match.
However, Yamaguchi, the world No. 3 and reigning world champion, produced a trademark fightback to turn the contest around and secure a 19-21, 21-18, 21-15 victory in 61 minutes.
Despite the defeat, the Indian badminton player continues to hold a narrow 15-13 edge in their ...