Madrid Spain Masters: PV Sindhu outclassed in straight games in final by Gregoria Mariska Tunjung
Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu came up with a disappointing show in the final of Madrid Spain Masters 2023 as she was comfortably outclassed.
In straight games by lower-ranked Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia on Sunday. Sindhu finished runner-up in the Super 300 tournament after 8-21, 8-21 defeat in a one-sided women’s singles final.
PV Sindhu, at no point, looked in any control as the Indian shuttler was error-prone. Gregoria Mariska was at her best in terms of intensity as she attacked her way to her maiden title on the BWF tour.
The World No. 12 has had an incredible run in Madrid. The 23-year-old defeated Rio Olympic gold medalist Carolina Marin in the semi-final on Saturday. Gregoria defeated the local favourite after coming back from behind – 10-21, 21-15, 21-10.
Gregoria Mariska, a former world junior champion, has been in incredible form in the new season, reaching the semi-final at the Swiss Open last month and the quarter-final at The England Open. It was a well-deserved title triumph for the young shuttler from Indonesia who is one of the most improved players in the women’s singles circuit.
It was a shocking show from PV Sindhu, who had gotten past a tricky test against Yeo Jia Min in the semi-final. After having headed into the final with a 7-0 record against Gregoria, Sindhu was comfortably beaten in the final by the Indonesian rising star.
Sindhu will take confidence from the run to the final in Madrid Spain Masters but she has been struggling to find her rhythm in 2023. After coming back from a stress fracture, Sindhu lost in the first round in three successive tournaments, which included the All-England Open.
Sindhu slipped out of the top 10 for the first time since 2016 last month and the Indian shuttler will be hoping to find form before the Olympic qualification starts in May.
Indian shuttlers, apart from Sindhu, had forgettable outings at the Madrid Spain Masters. Kidambi Srikanth was ousted in the quarter-finals while the other stars, including doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, faced early exits.