Malaysia Masters: PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal crash out in quarters

This was Sindhu’s second consecutive loss to Tzu Ying. She had lost to her at the quarterfinals of the French open in October last year.

It was a bad day in office for India shuttlers as PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal crashed out of their respective quarter-final clashes in the ongoing Malaysia Masters Super 500 badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

India's Pusarla V. Sindhu hits a return shot against Taiwan's Tai Tzu Ying during Malaysian Master 2020 during Women Single Quarter Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (AP)

Reigning world champion Sindhu was knocked out of the tournament after losing in straight games to top seed Tai Tzu Ying while Saina was defeated by reigning Olympics gold medallist Carolina Marin inside 30 minutes.

The Chinese Taipei world number two beat Sindhu 21-16 21-16 in the quarterfinal, extending her head to head record to 12-5. This was Sindhu’s second consecutive loss to Tzu Ying. She had lost to her at the quarterfinals of the French open in October last year.

Sindhu was erratic in the start, failing to capitalise on her leads and eventually lost the first game 16-21 to hand a 1-0 advantage to Tzu Ying. In the second game, Sindhu could do little as Tzu Ying completely dominated the proceedings from start to end.

Trailing 11-20, Sindhu saved six match points but it was too late as Tzu Ying sealed the game 21-16.

As for Saina, she was no match was Marin who dispatched her 21-8, 21-7 to seal a place in the last four.