PV Sindhu Exits China Open After Chen Yufei's Stunning Comeback Victory

Posted : 23 July 2026

PV Sindhu's run at the 2026 BWF China Open came to an end on Thursday after the Indian star suffered a narrow three-game defeat to home favourite Chen Yufei in the women's singles Round of 16 at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in Changzhou.

Sindhu made a strong start to the contest by overturning an early five-point deficit in the opening game. Trailing 8-13, the former world champion raised her attacking intensity, reduced her unforced errors and won 13 of the final 16 points to claim the first game 21-16.

The Indian continued her impressive form in the second game and appeared on course for a straight-games victory. She built a slender advantage and moved within two points of reaching the quarterfinals while leading 20-18.

However, Chen produced an outstanding fightback under pressure. The Chinese fourth seed saved two match points before winning four consecutive points to steal the second game 22-20 and force a deciding third game.

The final game remained evenly balanced throughout, with both players producing long rallies and aggressive shot-making. Sindhu briefly held a narrow advantage midway through the decider, but Chen responded with greater consistency during the closing stages to edge ahead.

With the score locked in a tense battle, Chen won the crucial late exchanges to complete a remarkable comeback and secured the deciding game 21-18, booking her place in the quarterfinals after more than an hour of high-quality badminton.

Despite the defeat, Sindhu produced one of her strongest performances of the season and pushed one of the tournament favourites to the limit. Her aggressive approach troubled Chen for long periods, particularly after recovering brilliantly in the opening game, but she was unable to convert her opportunities when victory was within reach.

The result adds to an event that has already produced several major upsets. Earlier in the tournament, Denmark's Rasmus Gemke shocked world No. 2 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the opening round, while Ireland's Nhat Nguyen eliminated China's Li Shi Feng. Indonesian pair Rachel Allessya Rose and Febi Setianingrum also upset the second-seeded Chinese women's doubles team of Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian.

The BWF China Open, a Super 1000 tournament, continues with the quarterfinals as the remaining contenders battle for one of the most prestigious titles on the World Tour calendar.

PV Sindhu Exits China Open After Chen Yufei's Stunning Comeback Victory

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