PV Sindhu Survives Scare To Beat Kaloyana Nalbantova In BWF World Championships Thriller

Last Updated:August 26, 2025, 18:58 IST

PV Sindhu beats Kaloyana Nalbantova in straight games at BWF World Championships, showing a strong comeback and powerful smashes in her opener.

PV Sindhu will next play Karupathevan Letshanaa (Picture credit: AFP)

Two-time Olympic medallist and former champion PV Sindhu overcame a sluggish start to beat Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova in straight games at the BWF World Championships on Tuesday.

World No. 15 Sindhu appeared tentative initially but gradually found her rhythm, increasing her pace and sharpening her attack to overcome the 69th-ranked Bulgarian 23-21, 21-6 in her women’s singles opening round clash.

The 30-year-old Indian trailed 0-4 due to a series of unforced errors, while Nalbantova maintained pressure to move ahead 9-5 before entering the interval with an 11-7 lead.

After the break, Sindhu found her rhythm, unleashing a flurry of smashes, including her trademark cross-court winners, to level the score at 12-all.

Two errors from the Bulgarian handed Sindhu a 14-12 advantage, but the lead seesawed as both shuttlers exchanged points.

At 19-20, Nalbantova had a game point but couldn’t capitalise, hitting into the net at 20-all.

A forehand slice into the net gave Nalbantova a second game point, but she squandered that too, permitting Sindhu to grab the game point and convert it to seal the opener.

In the second game, Sindhu came out all guns blazing, racing to a 5-1 lead with aggressive returns. Though Nalbantova reduced the margin to 5-6, she became increasingly erratic, allowing Sindhu to take control.

The Indian led by six points at the interval.

It was one-way traffic thereafter as Sindhu extended her lead to 17-5 with a mix of powerful smashes and deep clears, while Nalbantova continued to make errors, including several misjudged line calls.

Sindhu earned 15 match points, squandered one, and sealed the contest with a fierce smash.

(With PTI Inputs)

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First Published:

August 26, 2025, 18:58 IST

News sports PV Sindhu Survives Scare To Beat Kaloyana Nalbantova In BWF World Championships Thriller

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