PV Sindhu Narrowly Defeated by Supanida Katethong in Madrid Spain Masters Quarterfinals

Supanida Katethong of Thailand defeated PV Sindhu by a slender margin in the women's singles quarterfinals of the Madrid Spain Masters Super 300 badminton tournament on Friday. Sindhu had fought valiantly throughout the competition.

Sindhu, who placed second in 2023, fought back from an early 4-8 deficit and saved multiple game points to secure the opening game. However, despite this comeback, the sixth-seeded Thai defeated her in a see-saw battle that concluded in a 24-26, 21-17, 22-20 triumph.

N Sikki Reddy and B Sumeeth Reddy of India, on the other hand, advanced to the mixed doubles semifinals with a 14-21, 21-11, 21-17 victory over Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati of Indonesia, who were ranked fourth.

In the quarterfinals, third-seeded Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa fell 13-21, 19-21 to sixth-seeded Lee Chia Hsin and Teng Chun Hsun of Taiwan in women's doubles.

Sindhu held a 5-3 record against the seventeenth-ranked Supanida, with the two having engaged in a series of thrilling contests over the past two years.

It was a battle of talents and physical prowess for Sindhu, who encountered little opposition in the opening rounds. Sindhu struggled at first, falling behind 3–7, but she rallied to take a three-point lead with a body smash and a superb net shot.

After the resumption, the rallies became more competitive as Sindhu maintained her 14-10 lead. However, momentum continued to shift as Supanida captured two game points when Sindhu converted a penalty kick.

However, Sindhu unleashed two opportune smashes to draw level. At 21-21, the Indian sent one long before generating a body pulverize. The Thai gained a game point by forcing one to the back but sent a forehand to net next as it was 24-24.

An excruciating rally ended with Supanida sending one wide as Sindhu had another advantage and this time the Thai again faltered at the net.

The intensity remained high despite the change of ends; the two players battled tooth and nail until Sindhu took a 10-8 lead.

However, Supanida was fast to secure three points to enter the interval with a three-point cushion. As the match dragged on, Sindhu appeared a touch fatigued as Supanida made her run with angled returns and extended the rallies.