PV Sindhu Finishes French Open Runner-Up After Final Defeat
India鈥檚 PV Sindhu finished runner-up at the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament after losing to South Korea鈥檚 world No. 1 An Se Young in the women鈥檚 singles final in Paris on Sunday. The two-time Olympic medallist put up a strong fight but went down 21-16, 11-21, 12-21 against the reigning Olympic champion in the USD 950,000 tournament.
Sindhu started confidently, using her reach, attacking strokes and sharp cross-court smashes to take the opening game. However, An raised her level in the next two games to secure her fourth French Open title and 11th crown of the season.
Sindhu Makes Strong Start Against World No. 1
The Indian kept pace with An during the early exchanges, with both players engaging in extended rallies and tight net battles. Sindhu gained the advantage through powerful smashes and well-placed returns, opening up a lead at the interval.
She maintained her momentum to move ahead 19-14 before a deceptive slice helped her earn six game points. Although An saved two, a shot sent long by the Korean allowed Sindhu to take the opening game in 20 minutes.
The victory in the first game was significant, as Sindhu had managed to take a game off An only once before in their previous 10 meetings.
An Se Young Turns the Match Around
An responded strongly in the second game, taking an early lead and exploiting errors in Sindhu鈥檚 game. The Korean controlled the rallies with precise net play and powerful smashes, building a substantial advantage.
She won nine of the next 10 points at one stage to move ahead 17-8. Sindhu saved three game points, but An converted the next opportunity to level the match at one game apiece.
Korean Star Dominates Deciding Game
The decider began with an intense exchange of rallies, as Sindhu moved ahead 8-5. An fought back to level the score at 8-8 before taking the lead with a sharp net shot.
The world No. 1 carried that momentum into the closing stages, extending her advantage to 15-9 and then 18-10. An eventually sealed the title at the first opportunity after earning eight match points.
Despite the defeat, Sindhu鈥檚 run to the final marks a strong performance at one of badminton鈥檚 major Super 750 events and provides encouragement for her upcoming tournaments.
