China Masters: Sindhu, Anupama crash out after losing second-round matches

PV Sindhu's poor form continues as she has failed to reach quarterfinals in the seventh consecutive tournament in 2024

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It was a day of mixed emotions for Indian fans at the China Masters badminton tournament on Thursday.

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and Anupama Upadhaya suffered early exits after losing their respective second-round matches in the women's singles category.

Sindhu lost to Singapore's Yeo Jia Min 16-21, 21-17, 21-23 in an encounter which lasted for one hour and nine minutes.

It was Sindhu's seventh straight tournament this year where she failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals.

The ace Indian shuttler lost the first game despite once levelling the score 14-14 but failed to carry on the momentum as the World No. 13 went on to claim the opener.

However, Sindhu bounced back strong in the next game to recover from an 11-8 deficit to close it on 21-17 to drag the match to the third game.

The 29-year-old Indian started the final game on high with an early lead of 6-3 before further strengthening it to 13-9 but it was Yeo Jin who turned the tide in her favour and shifted the momentum after making it 15-all.

She continued her point-winning streak and added three consecutive points to keep the Indian at bay. Sindhu, however, tried her level best to gain the valuable lead in the crunch situation but eventually bowed down to Singaporean 23-21.