PV Sindhu Crashes Out of Indonesia Open After Defeat to World No. 1

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu bowed out of the Indonesia Open 2026 after suffering a straight games defeat to world No. 1 An Se Young of South Korea in the women's singles Round of 16 in Jakarta on Thursday.

The two-time Olympic medallist entered the contest hoping to reverse her fortunes against the reigning Olympic champion , but An once again showcased why she currently sits atop the world rankings. Sindhu fought hard and produced moments of brilliance, yet the Korean's consistency and relentless court coverage helped her secure a 21-17, 21-14 victory .

The defeat came just a week after Sindhu lost to the same opponent in the Singapore Open quarterfinals , extending her winless run against An Se Young to ten matches .

The opening game witnessed an encouraging start from the Indian. Both players matched each other point for point and remained locked at 10-10 midway through the contest. Sindhu looked sharp with her attacking strokes and briefly moved ahead at 15-14 , raising hopes of taking control of the match.

However, An responded with the composure that has defined her rise to the top. The South Korean reeled off a string of crucial points, including a breathtaking 41-shot rally , to surge ahead and eventually close out the first game.

Carrying that momentum into the second game, An quickly established her authority. Her swift movement around the court and precise shot placement allowed her to open up a sizeable lead. Sindhu continued to battle and attempted to reduce the deficit, refusing to surrender easy points, but the gap proved too large to bridge.

Despite the defeat, Sindhu's performance offered glimpses of her fighting spirit and attacking intent . Yet against a player operating at the peak of her powers, those flashes were not enough.

With the victory, An Se Young advanced to the quarterfinals , while Sindhu's campaign in Jakarta came to an end. The Indian will now look to regroup and rediscover her best form as she prepares for the challenges ahead on the international circuit.