India’s run at the Uber Cup 2026 came to a heartbreaking end when they were beaten 0-5 by China in a Group A clash on Monday, April 27. PV Sindhu’s singles loss to world number two Wang Zhiyi set the tone for the exit, where she let her lead slip to lose by 122, 1.16 16.
THOMAS AND UBER CUP 2026: FULL NEWS
India have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup a 5-0 win over Australia earlier in the day. The Indian women started their campaign with a narrow 2-3 loss to hosts Denmark and then responded in style with a 4-1 win over Ukraine. However, they needed a win against China to keep their hopes alive. However, things went downhill the moment Sindhu lost her singles clash with Wang.
The Indian ace started his match well despite the early finish. After trailing 4-7 early in the opening game, she battled back to level at 9-9 before winning five straight points to go into the break with an 11-9 advantage.
Using sharp net play and powerful smashes, she extended her lead to 14-10, but Wang responded strongly with clever deception and accurate placement to fight back. At 16:16, the Chinese player took control and sealed the game with a string of winners.
Sindhu was aggressive in the second game and took a 9-4 lead with a flurry of smashes. Wang broke back to level at 10-10 with her signature angles and deception, but Sindhu stayed level late. She led 18-16, won two game points and converted the second with a powerful smash to force a decision.
She carried that momentum into the third game as she raced out to a 9-3 lead and extended it to 11-6 at the break before using relentless attacking play to take an 18-12 lead. But Wang staged a stunning comeback, winning six straight points to make it 18-18. From there, the Chinese shooter moved ahead and sealed the match after Sindhu found the net on match point.
OTHER RESULTS
Sindhu’s loss immediately put India on the back foot and China used the momentum to secure a comfortable victory. In doubles, China’s world No. 1 pair Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning beat India’s Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra in straight games to consolidate China’s tie.
India’s exit was confirmed when Isharani Baruah went down to Chen Yu Fei in the next singles match to give China an unassailable 3-0 lead. With the score tied, the remaining matches were a mere formality.
Tanisha Crasto and Kavipriya Selvam battled it out against Zhang Shuxian and Luo Xumin but eventually lost 21-10, 12-21, 19-21.
Devika Sihag put up a similar fight against Xu Wenjing but could not save India’s pride in the end and lost the match 21-19, 17-21, 10-21.
– The end
Published on:
28 Apr 2026 08:12 IST
