PV Sindhu was defeated by Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the semifinals of the Indonesia Open Super 1000 event on Saturday, losing 21-15, 9-21, 14-21.
Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, was upset in the semifinals by former world champion and second seed Ratchanok in 54 minutes for her third consecutive semifinal appearance.
Sindhu, who is 26 years old, reached the final four of the Indonesia Masters last week and the French Open in October.
Sindhu, the world number seven, entered the match with a 4-6 head-to-head record against the Thai player, having lost both of their previous matches.
The Indians got off to a fantastic start, gradually building an 8-3 lead early on. Ratchanok got the score to 9-10 before Sindhu took a one-point lead into the halftime break.
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Sindhu scored three straight points to take the lead and never looked back as she won the first game.
Ratchanok got her bearings back and came back roaring into the match as she build up a lead of 11-7 at the interval in the second game.
The Thai shuttler grabbed nine of the next 10 points from 12-8 to leave Sindhu stranded at the other side.
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It was Sindhu who handed 11 game points to Ratchanok after going to the net and the Thailand shuttler sealed it with a smash on her opponent’s forehand. The world no 8 Thai continued her impressive run in the decider as she ran to a healthy 11-6 lead with Sindhu committing too many errors.
Sindhu resumed with a cross court drop but a misjudgement at the backline and then an error at the net meant Ratchanok continued to move ahead.
The Indian had a good run of four points as she reached 13-16 but Ratchanok once again snapped the run of points and moved to seven match points.
A net error delayed the inevitable as Ratchanok sealed the contest with a precise return at the forecourt.
Sindhu, the reigning world champion, last reached the finals at the Swiss Open.
Later in the day, Indian men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will fight for a place in the final when it faces the top-seeded Indonesian pair of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo.
