Malaysia Masters 2020: PV Sindhu loses to World No. 2 Tai Tzu Ying in quarters

India's top-ranked shuttler PV Sindhu, on Friday, crashed out of the season-opening Malaysia Masters Super 500 tournament in Kuala Lampur after losing to World No. 2 Tai Tzu Ying in straight games.

The reigning World Champion could never really find her rhythm as Tai Tzu controlled the proceedings, especially in the second game, to win 21-16, 21-16. This was Sindhu's 12th loss in 17 meetings against the shuttler from Chinese Taipei.

It was always going to be a tight affair and the first game proved to be just that with the Sindhu and Tai Tzu exchanging blow for blow at every opportunity. Tai Tzu got off to a good start, gained a two-point advantage and maintained it till the breather. However, from 9-11 down, Sindhu managed to take four straight points to make it 13-11 in her favour.

But from then on, Tai Tzu amped up her game, producing incredibly precise and well-disguised drop shots — something that Sindhu had no answer to. The Chinese Taipei shuttler went on to wrap up the first game 21-16, losing just three of the next 13 points.

The lanky Indian star started positively on the second game, taking the first point but she kept making errors. Tai Tzu took an early lead and kept on extending it till 7-2. From there on, it was a matter of when the match will end and not who will win. Sindhu attempted a late fightback but to no avail.

Earlier, World No. 6 Sindhu had notched up a commanding 21-10, 21-15 victory over Japan’s Aya Ohori to advance to the quarters.

Last year, the 24-year-old Indian had a dream run at the World Championships in Basel, Switzerland. But she made early exits through the rest of the season and even failed to defend the World Tour Finals crown in December. With the Tokyo Olympics fast approaching and her qualification campaign on track, Sindhu would have hoped for a better start.