Wang Zhi Yi defeats PV Sindhu 11-21, 21-15, 17-21 in Round of 16 at BWF World Championships in Delhi

PV Sindhu lost to China’s Wang Zhi Yi 11-21, 21-15, 17-21 in an 88-minute women’s singles Round of 16 match at the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi on August 20, 2026. The defeat ended Sindhu’s previously unblemished record against Chinese opponents at this level.

India’s singles challenge at the home World Championships had already suffered earlier setbacks, with Ayush Shetty being steamrolled by Alwi Farhan and both Unnati Hooda and Lakshya Sen eliminated in the second round on Wednesday. The match in Delhi was played before a vocal home crowd at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

The contest unfolded over three games, with Wang taking the first 21-11, Sindhu responding with a 21-15 second game to level the match, and Wang closing out the decider 21-17. The 88-minute encounter was described in reports as a marathon women’s singles match.

World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi battled cramps during the match but recovered to edge Sindhu and move into the quarter-finals. Wang’s progression to the last eight was confirmed after the final game.

The loss was Sindhu’s first defeat to a Chinese shuttler at the World Championships, bringing an end to her 8-0 record against Chinese players at this event. Sindhu had been seeking a sixth World Championships medal.

A five-time World Championships medallist and a two-time Olympic medallist, Sindhu, aged 31, was reported to have demonstrated improved recovery methods, fitness training and skills during the match despite coming up short. Her exit means she will not advance further in this edition of the tournament.

Wang advances to the quarter-finals, while Sindhu’s defeat concludes India’s singles campaign at the home World Championships.