PV Sindhu Falls Short in Denmark Open Quarterfinal Against Gregoria Mariska Tunjung

PV Sindhu’s hopes of progressing to the semifinals of the Denmark Open were dashed as she lost to Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in a thrilling quarterfinal clash. The Indian star fell 13-21, 21-16, 9-21 in a match that lasted 57 minutes, with her flaws exposed by Tunjung’s simple but effective shotmaking.

In the opening game, Sindhu struggled with her defensive footwork, allowing Tunjung to exploit gaps on Sindhu’s flanks with precise, basic shots. Tunjung’s solid strategy involved alternating her shots across the court and occasionally mixing them up with variations, keeping Sindhu on the move. Sindhu’s side-to-side movement was slow, and her line judgment was off, offering Tunjung easy opportunities.

Despite the setbacks in the first game, Sindhu fought back in the second, upping her speed and aggression. She surged ahead to a 6-1 lead, though a string of mistakes saw her lose the advantage, trailing 6-9. However, her attacking play improved, and she regained control to take the game 21-16, leveling the match.

In the decisive third game, Sindhu’s errors resurfaced. Tunjung quickly built a commanding 8-2 lead and never looked back, winning 21-9. Sindhu’s inability to control rallies, combined with her defensive lapses, gave Tunjung the upper hand. Though Sindhu’s power was evident at times, her reluctance to control the flow of rallies left her vulnerable to Tunjung’s clever tactics.

This defeat marks a setback for Sindhu, especially since she had beaten Tunjung in their last three encounters in 2023. Tunjung, now ranked No. 8 compared to Sindhu’s 18, has evolved into a more solid and consistent player, adding steadiness to her previously erratic game.

Sindhu’s loss underscores the need for improvements in her defense and starting speed. Despite frequent coaching changes, which have made adapting to different opponents more challenging, Sindhu’s technical adjustments will be key to her future performances. With tougher draws ahead, she must sharpen her strategies, especially in deciders, to regain her place among the top.