Denmark Open: PV Sindhu suffers a first round exit after Yvonne Li scripts comeback win
PV Sindhu suffered a first-round exit at the Denmark Open Super 750 on Tuesday after failing to close out her match against Germany’s Yvonne Li in Odense. The two-time Olympic medalist won the opening match but lost her way in a thrilling finish, losing 21-13, 23-25, 19-21 in 65 minutes at the SJF Bank Arena.
Sindhu had a chance to wrap up the match in the second game but failed to take it. Li fought back to level the match before pulling away in the decider to hand the two-time Olympic medalist an early exit.
The result also ruled out a possible Round of 16 meeting between Sindhu and young Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma. Tanvi won her opening match and will now face Li to advance to the quarterfinals.
SINDHU LET THE WINNER SLIP OUT
Sindhu was initially drawn to face world number one An Se-young, but a couple of selections changed the tie and left her facing Li, who entered the main draw from the reserves.
The Indian got off to a strong start and took the opening game 21-13 with little trouble. However, Li raised her level in the second game and made Sindhu work harder for every point.
At 20-20, Sindhu had an opportunity to finish the match but failed to convert. Li kept her composure to claim another key point and win the match 25-23 to force a decision.
Sindhu again looked in control in the final game and opened up a 12-7 lead after the break. But Li fought back with six consecutive points to draw.
The Indian responded with four straight points from 15:15 to advance again. Just when it seemed Sindhu had done enough, Li produced another run of six consecutive points to seal a 21-19 win.
It was Li’s first win over Sindhu in four meetings. The Indian will be disappointed to have let the game slip away after such a promising start.
Sindhu’s exit also means there will be no all-Indian clash with Tanvi in the next round. Instead, the youngster will face Li, who will carry the confidence of her comeback victory into the round of 16.
LAKSHYA SEN SUFFERING AN EARLY EXIT
Lakshya Sen was also eliminated in the opening round after losing 18-21, 21-13, 15-21 to Chinese Taipei’s Zhou Tienchen.
Lakshya recovered from losing the first game to win the second 21-13 to take the decider. However, world No. 6 Chou regained control in the final game and completed the win in just over an hour.
The defeat adds to a difficult journey for Lakshya, who also suffered second-round exits at the 2026 Asian Games and the World Championships in New Delhi.
SRIKANTH, TANVI ADVANCE
Kidambi Srikanth and Tanvi Sharma provided some relief for India as they won their opening matches to reach the round of 16.
Srikanth beat France’s Arnaud Merkle 22-20, 21-19 in 46 minutes. The former world No.1 had to work hard to take the opening game but held her nerve in the second to seal a straight-sets win. The world number one will next face seventh seed Alex Lanier.
Tanvi also had to fight for her place in the next round as she defeated Japan’s Natsuki Nidair 21-17, 16-21, 21-19 in a 72-minute encounter. After dropping the second game, the young Indian held firm in the decision to secure the win.
He will now face Li in the round of 16 as he looks to continue in the tournament.
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