The year 2022 began with the hope that PV Sindhu will dominate a relatively weak playing field in New Delhi at India Open Super 500. However, after three wins against Indian opponents, the run ended at the hands – specifically, the left hand – of Supanida Katethong. The Thai shuttler came up with a spirited attacking display to end Sindhu’s run in the semifinal.
Just over a year later, at India Open 2023 – now a Super 750 event with a plethora of big stars from around the badminton world – India’s very own superstar of the sport currently, ran into Supanida Katethong again. And for the second year in a row, Sindhu’s tournament was ended by her.
The battle between the two appeared as if Katethong had everything figured out since the beginning, while Sindhu was trying to put pieces together along the way. The Indian eventually lost 14-21, 20-21 in 45 minutes. Shortly after the loudest roar of the night had gone up, it was a result that left a good crowd that had gathered since morning in stunned silence.
#Badminton #IndiaOpen2023
An animated Kim Ji Hyun celebrating after Kathethong defeats Sindhu. pic.twitter.com/bQN8vlFcjA
— Abhijeet Kulkarni (@abk6580) January 17, 2023
That Sindhu came back from 12-17 down in…
