India’s PV Sindhu saw her dream run at the Malaysia Open come to an end on Saturday (Jan 10) after she lost to China’s Wang Zhi. Playing at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, Sindhu was beaten in straight games, 16-21, 15-21, as she missed out on avenging her loss against Zhi, who had beaten her in the 2024 final. The focus now turns to the India Open 2026 for Sindhi, which is slated to start on Tuesday (Jan 13).<h2>Sindhu bows out</h2>In what was a repeat of the 2024 final, the two-time Olympic medalist was clearly the second favourite, having lost points at regular intervals. Her Chinese counterpart forced Sindhu to make baseline errors while playing an attacking court game. In the end, the contest lasted almost one hour before Zhi booked her place in the final.&nbsp;Sindhu’s also missed out on reaching the final for the second time, having missed the golden opportunity to win her season’s first title. Her focus now shifts to the India Open 2026, which will be a home tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-leonard-hutton-to-don-bradman-5-batters-with-highest-individual-score-in-ashes-bob-simpson-bob-cowper-ashes-2025-26-1762276944046">From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes</a>&nbsp;On the other hand, there was more bad news for Indian fans on Friday as the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost in the quarterfinal. Their journey at the Malaysia Open 2026 was brought to an end by the Indonesian duo of Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Fajar Alfian. They got the better of the Indian pair in straight games, winning 21-10, 23-21.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-steve-smith-to-joe-root-5-active-batters-with-most-runs-in-ashes-ben-stokes-jonny-bairstow-usman-khawaja-1762275784636">From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes</a>&nbsp;While the second game was much tighter, the Indian pair could not force their way back into the contest and had to settle for a defeat. Like Sindhu, they will also now shift focus to the upcoming Indian Open, where they finished runners-up in 2024. India will have huge hopes from the duo, who will look to win their first title of the season.

Playing at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, PV Sindhu was beaten in straight games, 16-21, 15-21, as she missed out on avenging her loss against Zhi, who had beaten her in the 2024 final. 

India’s PV Sindhu saw her dream run at the Malaysia Open come to an end on Saturday (Jan 10) after she lost to China’s Wang Zhi. Playing at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, Sindhu was beaten in straight games, 16-21, 15-21, as she missed out on avenging her loss against Zhi, who had beaten her in the 2024 final. The focus now turns to the India Open 2026 for Sindhi, which is slated to start on Tuesday (Jan 13). Sindhu bows out In what was a repeat of the 2024 final, the two-time Olympic medalist was clearly the second favourite, having lost points at regular intervals. Her Chinese counterpart forced Sindhu to make baseline errors while playing an attacking court game. In the end, the contest lasted almost one hour before Zhi booked her place in the final. Sindhu’s also missed out on reaching the final for the second time, having missed the golden opportunity to win her season’s first title. Her focus now shifts to the India Open 2026, which will be a home tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist. ALSO READ | From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes On the other hand, there was more bad news for Indian fans on Friday as the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost in the quarterfinal. Their journey at the Malaysia Open 2026 was brought to an end by the Indonesian duo of Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Fajar Alfian. They got the better of the Indian pair in straight games, winning 21-10, 23-21. ALSO READ | From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes While the second game was much tighter, the Indian pair could not force their way back into the contest and had to settle for a defeat. Like Sindhu, they will also now shift focus to the upcoming Indian Open, where they finished runners-up in 2024. India will have huge hopes from the duo, who will look to win their first title of the season.

Playing at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, PV Sindhu was beaten in straight games, 16-21, 15-21, as she missed out on avenging her loss against Zhi, who had beaten her in the 2024 final.&nbsp;

Malaysia Open 2026: PV Sindhu's dream run ends in semis, Wang Zhi advances to final

Veteran Indian shuttler PV Sindhu has reached the semifinal of the Malaysia Open 2026 after her quarterfinal opponent, Akane Yamaguchi, retired on Friday (Jan 9). Playing at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, Sindhu was given a walkover after winning the opening game 21-11. This means Sindhu will now face the winner of Wang Zhiyi vs. P. K. Wardani, who will square off later on in the day.<h2>Sindu reaches semis</h2>The two-time Olympic medalist entered the quarterfinal contest against Yamaguchi with a task in hand. In a tight head-to-head record between the two, it was tough to call in the quarterfinal contest. However, the two-time Olympic medalist brought her A game onto the court and pocketed the opening game 21-11. While Sindhu was on top of her game, Yamaguchi’s struggles on the court were evident, which later saw her retire from the quarterfinal contest.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-leonard-hutton-to-don-bradman-5-batters-with-highest-individual-score-in-ashes-bob-simpson-bob-cowper-ashes-2025-26-1762276944046">From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes</a>&nbsp;The walkover win for Sindu means the 30-year-old will now bid to reach her second final at the BWF500 event. The Indian shuttler finished as a runner-up in the Malaysia Open 2024, where she lost to Wang Zhiyi of China. Interestingly, she will have the opportunity to get her revenge with the Chinese in line for a semifinal spot.&nbsp;Zhiyi will play against Indonesia’s P. K. Wardani, who will be in action later in the day. On the other hand, Sindhu will keep a close eye on the contest. She is yet to drop a game at the Malaysia Open 2026, having already got the better of Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki (21-8, 21-13) in R16 while also beating Taiwan’s Sung Shuo-yun (21-13, 22-20) in R64.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-steve-smith-to-joe-root-5-active-batters-with-most-runs-in-ashes-ben-stokes-jonny-bairstow-usman-khawaja-1762275784636">From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes</a><h2>Satwik-Chirag up and running in 2026</h2>On Thursday, in men’s doubles, third seeds Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also advanced after securing a 21-18, 21-11 win over Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap in 39 minutes. With the victory, the Indians extended their head-to-head record against the Malaysian pair to 4–0. They will next face the winners of the clash between Chinese Taipei’s Chen Zhi Ray/Lin Yu Chieh and sixth seeds Fajar Alfian/Fikri Muhammad of Indonesia.

Playing at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, PV Sindhu was given a walkover after winning the opening game 21-11. This means Sindhu will now face the winner of Wang Zhiyi vs. P. K. Wardani, who will square off later on in the day.

Veteran Indian shuttler PV Sindhu has reached the semifinal of the Malaysia Open 2026 after her quarterfinal opponent, Akane Yamaguchi, retired on Friday (Jan 9). Playing at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, Sindhu was given a walkover after winning the opening game 21-11. This means Sindhu will now face the winner of Wang Zhiyi vs. P. K. Wardani, who will square off later on in the day. Sindu reaches semis The two-time Olympic medalist entered the quarterfinal contest against Yamaguchi with a task in hand. In a tight head-to-head record between the two, it was tough to call in the quarterfinal contest. However, the two-time Olympic medalist brought her A game onto the court and pocketed the opening game 21-11. While Sindhu was on top of her game, Yamaguchi’s struggles on the court were evident, which later saw her retire from the quarterfinal contest. ALSO READ | From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes The walkover win for Sindu means the 30-year-old will now bid to reach her second final at the BWF500 event. The Indian shuttler finished as a runner-up in the Malaysia Open 2024, where she lost to Wang Zhiyi of China. Interestingly, she will have the opportunity to get her revenge with the Chinese in line for a semifinal spot. Zhiyi will play against Indonesia’s P. K. Wardani, who will be in action later in the day. On the other hand, Sindhu will keep a close eye on the contest. She is yet to drop a game at the Malaysia Open 2026, having already got the better of Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki (21-8, 21-13) in R16 while also beating Taiwan’s Sung Shuo-yun (21-13, 22-20) in R64. ALSO READ | From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes Satwik-Chirag up and running in 2026 On Thursday, in men’s doubles, third seeds Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also advanced after securing a 21-18, 21-11 win over Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap in 39 minutes. With the victory, the Indians extended their head-to-head record against the Malaysian pair to 4–0. They will next face the winners of the clash between Chinese Taipei’s Chen Zhi Ray/Lin Yu Chieh and sixth seeds Fajar Alfian/Fikri Muhammad of Indonesia.

Playing at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, PV Sindhu was given a walkover after winning the opening game 21-11. This means Sindhu will now face the winner of Wang Zhiyi vs. P. K. Wardani, who will square off later on in the day.

Malaysia Open 2026: Veteran PV Sindhu books semis berth as third seed Akane Yamaguchi retires

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Malaysia Open 2026: PV Sindhu's dream run ends in semis, Wang Zhi advances to final

Malaysia Open: PV Sindhu books semis berth as third seed Akane Yamaguchi retires