Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (UNA) :

India’s two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu booked her place in the semifinals of the Malaysia Open after Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi retired during their quarterfinal match on Friday. Sindhu had taken firm control of the contest and was leading comfortably when the match was stopped.

Yamaguchi, who struggled with a knee issue, was unable to continue after the first game, allowing Sindhu to move ahead in the tournament. The Indian shuttler looked sharp and confident on court, displaying strong attacking play and steady movement before the retirement.

For Indian sports fans, Sindhu’s progress is encouraging, especially as she continues her comeback following injury setbacks in recent months. Reaching the semifinals of a major tournament like the Malaysia Open is a positive sign ahead of bigger international events scheduled later this season.

Sindhu will now face a tough challenge in the semifinals as she aims to secure a place in the final. The tournament remains an important test of form for top players, with valuable ranking points at stake.

Officials have confirmed that the remaining matches will proceed as planned. Sindhu’s run has renewed excitement among badminton followers in India, who will be watching closely as she looks to convert this opportunity into a title push.