Day 2 of the Japan Open saw mixed results for Indians at the tournament, with the big disappointment coming from PV Sindhu's loss to Zhang Yiman in the very first round.
How has PV Sindhu performed in 2023?
2023 has been a turbulent year for Sindhu, following five months out with injury. The highlight of it so far has been the final she made at the Madrid Masters.
In June, she parted ways with coach Park Tae-Sang before joining up with Muhammad Hafiz Hashim prior to the Korea Open in July.
This loss marks her 7th first round exit of the year. Sindhu has exited two further tournaments at the second round stage.
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How did Sindhu play against Zhang in the Japan Open 2023?
Sindhu is currently ranked No 17 in the world and Zhang No 18, but especially given the Indian's form, this was always going to be a tricky match for her.
In this match, Zhang took the lead early and did not let up, winning the first game 21-12. Without missing a beat, she took the momentum from the first game into the second, completing a 21-13 victory and sealing passage to the next round.
More than the defeat, Sindhu will be hurting about the manner of it, as she rarely troubled her Chinese opponent. This now tilts the head-to-head record between the two to 3-2 in Zhang's favour. Sindhu won this match-up twice at the Malaysia Masters while Zhang won at the All England Open and the Germany Open.
🏸 Tough times continue for Sindhu!
— Sportwalk Media (@sportwalkmedia) July 26, 2023
🇮🇳 PV Sindhu crashes out of the Japan Open 2023 after suffering defeat at the hands of Zhang Yi Man of 🇨🇳.
👉 She lost 12-21, 13-21!@Pvsindhu1 @BAI_Media @Media_SAI @BadmintonJust @BadmintonTalk
📷 TOI • #PVSindhu #JapanOpen… pic.twitter.com/w8NVFX3SR4
MORE: Indians at Japan Open 2023
What next for Sindhu after the Japan Open?
After consecutive first-round exits at the Korea Open and the Japan Open, the pressure is on Sindhu and coach Hashim to pick up her form. A strong second half of the year could go a long way towards restoring some of Sindhu's confidence.
The Australian Open starting on 1 August will be Sindhu's next chance to regain some form, and the China and Hong Kong Opens in September will give her an opportunity to build on her progress.
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