"Maybe if I had won the first set it would've been different" - PV Sindhu after RO16 exit with defeat against He Bingjiao | Paris Olympics 2024
For PV Sindhu, the final credits of her opening set of the night set the tone for the rest of the match. With the scores tied at 19-19, He Bingjiao's explosive drive kissing the sideline made the Indian scamper through the court, only for her efforts to go in vain. Sindhu decided to challenge the call, only for the replays to show the feathered birdie was on the line.
The sixth-seeded Chinese went ahead in the Paris Olympics Round of 16 encounter by a narrow margin but enough to break down the Indian's vigor that she had built up through her rampaging run in the group stage. There was fearlessness in Bingjiao's stride, as she picked apart the shuttler who had ended her medal-dream in Tokyo. Sindhu huffed and puffed but had already been entrapped, and collapsed in the second game.
Leaving the Games empty-handed is unchartered territory for the 29-year-old, but still carrying a smile while speaking to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) after the match, she reflected on her untimely exit.
"Sadly, I couldn't get the result I wanted, but in the Olympics, everybody wants to win but unfortunately that couldn't happen. It didn't go the right way for me. He Bingjiao is a good player, and we've played a lot of times in the past, so we know each other's game."
"But at the same time, I felt the first game should've been a bit different, especially at 19 all it was anybody's game. I challenged it but then it would've been good if it was in favor. But it was on the line, so it was 20-19 in her favor," Sindhu said.
Despite the pushback from Bingjiao and some nervy shot-making from the Indian, Sindhu had managed to keep in touching distance with her opponent until the climax of the first game.
"Maybe if I had won the first set it would've been different. I would've had a lot more confidence. In the second game, it was good in the beginning, but then she took the lead and kept going, I tried to cover it, but I was making simple errors. Overall, it was a sad day but I have to keep my head high."
"I want him to do his best" - Departing PV Sindhu's message for quarter-finals bound Lakshya Sen
While PV Sindhu bids adieu to Paris, Lakshya Sen will remain as the lone torchbearer of the Indian badminton contingent in the quadrennial event. The prodigal shuttler edged past his fellow countrymen HS Prannoy in the pre-quarters to set up and enter the business end of the men's singles event.
Sindhu had a message for the youngster:
"I wish him [Lakshya] all the very best and hope he does very well. It's his first Olympics so I want him to do his best and give his 100 percent."
Playing at the La Chapelle Arena's Court 3, Lakshya dominated Prannoy to cruise to a 21-12, 21-6 victory in 39 minutes in his maiden appearance at the Games. Next, the Indian will meet Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien Chen in the quarter-finals.