Kuala Lumpur, (UNI) In a thrilling comeback performance, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu secured her place in the Malaysia Masters 2024 badminton women’s singles final, overcoming Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan at the Axiata Arena here on Saturday.
Ranked 15th in the world, Sindhu defeated the 20th-ranked Ongbamrungphan 13-21, 21-16, 21-12 in a grueling match lasting one hour and 28 minutes. This victory marks Sindhu’s first final appearance on the BWF World Tour since her runner-up finish at the Spain Masters in April last year, where she lost to Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
Sindhu will now face China’s second seed Wang Zhi Yi in the final. Wang secured her spot by defeating compatriot and sixth seed Wang Yi Man in the other semifinal. Notably, Sindhu previously bested Wang Zhi Yi in the final of the Singapore Open 2022, claiming her last BWF World Tour title.
The semifinal match saw Sindhu display resilience and skill. After trailing by a single point at 9-10 in the first game, Ongbamrungphan pulled ahead with six consecutive points, eventually winning the game comfortably.
Undeterred, Sindhu fought back in the second game, overcoming an early deficit to level the match and force a decider. In the final game, she maintained control throughout, never relinquishing her lead and securing her 18th win over Ongbamrungphan in 19 encounters.
Sindhu remains the last Indian contender at the Malaysia Masters, showcasing her determination and prowess on the international stage.
