Sindhu’s search for form continues with defeat against world No 31; Srikanth beats Prannoy in clash of veterans
The St. Jakobshalle in Basel is arguably PV Sindhu’s favourite venue on the world tour, with her 2019 World Championships gold coming at this very arena. She had also reached the Swiss Open finals back-to-back in 2021 and 2022, winning the title three years back.
But, currently searching for some rhythm at the start of 2025, Sindhu suffered yet another first-round exit as world No 31 Julie Dawall Jakobsen edged past the Indian star 21-17, 21-19 in 39 minutes. It marked the end of a disappointing European leg for Sindhu, after losing in the round of 32 last week at the All England Open as well.Entering the court with a heavily taped right thigh, Sindhu was slow off the blocks, with Jakobsen moving the Indian star around on the court. There was little to separate the two players in the early stages, with the Dane staying in touch till 13-13.
The Dane then sneaked ahead to the lead with a powerful smash to Sindhu’s backhand side, followed a round-the-head crosscourt drop – a shot that Kim Ga Eun used to great effect in Birmingham last week when she defeated the Indian. Down 14-16, Sindhu upped her intensity to inject more pace into the rallies but it wasn’t enough to turn it around as the 25-year-old took the lead. Jakobsen started Game 2 with the same momentum and opened up a 9-4 lead.
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Sindhu found some joy when she tried playing a couple of deceptive drops, closing the gap down to 9-11, but the pressure on Jakobsen wasn’t sustained enough. The Dane opened up a 15-9 lead and from there it was just a case of simple game management. Sindhu was left visibly angry a couple of line calls, one at 9-11 that went against her proving to be crucial.
The 29-year-old double Olympic medall did stage a late fightback from 9-16 down to 18-17, then saved a match point too, but Jakobsen held her nerve while Sindhu threw the racket up in frustration after the defeat.
Earlier in the day, Srikanth Kidambi scripted a couple of solid comebacks within the match to defeat HS Prannoy 23-21 23-21 in a hard-fought battle. According to the official Head-to-Head statics between them on the international circuit, this was the 10th meeting Srikanthand Prannoy, but they must have played each other hundreds of times over the years. The two leaders of India’s horic Thomas Cup triumph in Bangkok have seen their form and results slip and slide in recent times, but at the Swiss Open destiny brought them together. Lakshya Sen’s withdrawal from the event saw Srikanth receive a promotion, and the two veterans got together on the court on opposite sides of the net for the first time in 18 months. Even thought Prannoy had a handy lead in both games – 20-16 in Game 1 and 18-14 in Game 2 – Srikanth managed to close it out without needing a decider.
In other notable results, Isharani Baruah overcame Aakarshi Kashyap 18-21 21-12 22-20 while Anupama Upadhyaya beat Anmol Kharb 21-14, 21-13 in a couple of all-Indian women’s singles clashes. In men’s singles, Sankar Muthusamy put in a sturdy performance to overcome Magnus Johannesen of Denmark in a leftie-lefty battle 21-5, 21-16. There was however disappointment for Malvika Bansod against Canada’s Michelle Li as she lost 22-20 14-21 19-21 in 65 minutes.Bansod went from 18-20 down in Game 1 to take the lead, but couldn’t repeat that feat in Game 3 Li closed it out. The Indian would rue not converting a 11-7 lead in the decider.
Vinayakk Mohanarangan is Senior Assant Editor and is based in New Delhi. … Read More
