PV Sindhu gave India a strong start, but the team eventually lost 2-3 to host Denmark in the Uber Cup Group A opener on Friday, April 24. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, defeated Denmark’s world number one Christophersen 21-13, 18-21, 21-10 to take a 1-10 lead.
However, India lost momentum as Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma were beaten in their singles, allowing Denmark to take a 2-1 lead. In the must-win doubles, Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam went down as Denmark closed out the tie 3-1.
India managed a consolation win in the final match where Tanisha Crasto worked with Sindhu to reduce the final margin to 2-3.
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HOW SINDHU PICTURED CHRISTOPHERSEN
Sindhu made a measured start before finding her rhythm to secure a hard-fought victory, even as Christophersen pushed her to the limit.
Sindhu opened strongly and took control of the first game with relative ease. However, Christophersen turned up the intensity in the second, coming from 6-6 down to 11-11 before taking a 16-15 lead as errors began to creep into Sindhu’s game. The Dane cashed in to tie the game and force a decision.
Buoyed by support from the Indian camp, Sindhu regrouped in the third, using her deception and sharp angles to stay in contention. Christophersen initially held a slight lead, leading 4-3 and later 15-12, but Sindhu kept responding under pressure.
At 15-15, the momentum shifted again as the Indian leveled before taking control in the closing stages. In a thrilling finish, Sindhu won six of the last seven points to go 18-16 up before sealing the match with a powerful body slam followed by a pinpoint winner.
INDIA WILL LOSE WAY
After PV Sindhu gave India an early boost, the momentum shifted as the team eventually went down to Denmark.
World No. 3 Unnati Hooda put up a strong fight and even saved a few match points, but narrowly lost 12-21, 23-25 to Denmark’s world No. 26 Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt, a recent European silver medallist.
Tanvi Sharma followed with a 21-19, 16-21, 16-21 defeat of Amalie Schulz after winning the opening game.
In the doubles, Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam missed two match points before losing a close match 17-21, 21-11, 21-23 to Amalie Cecilie Kudsk and Mette Werge.
In the final rubber, Tanisha Crasto and Sindhu secured a consolation win after Denmark’s Alexandra Boje and Christine Busch retired after 36 minutes of play.
India will look to bounce back when they take on Ukraine on Saturday, April 25. He will then face a tougher challenge against China on Monday, April 27.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
25 Apr 2026 01:04 IST
