Chen Yu Fei Stages Epic Comeback, Knocks PV Sindhu Out of China Open

In a stunning upset at the BWF China Open 2026, India's badminton ace PV Sindhu was knocked out of the Women's Singles Round of 16 by China's Chen Yu Fei. Despite taking the first game and holding a commanding lead with four match points in the second, Sindhu ultimately fell 16-21, 22-20, 21-18 in a grueling 89-minute encounter. This dramatic turn of events marks a significant moment, especially after Sindhu had defeated Chen Yu Fei just last week in the Japan Open semi-finals en route to clinching the title. The clash, held at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in Changzhou, underscored the intense rivalry between two of badminton's biggest stars. Chen Yu Fei, the reigning Olympic champion and World No. 4, showcased incredible resilience to save Sindhu's match points and force a deciding game, demonstrating why the BWF World Tour Super 1000 events are considered the pinnacle of the sport. This loss means India's women's singles campaign at the prestigious tournament comes to an end, with fellow Indian shuttlers Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty also exiting in their respective men's singles Round of 16 matches, concluding India's overall challenge. With Chen Yu Fei now advancing to the quarterfinals, all eyes will be on her continued performance in her home tournament, while Sindhu will need to regroup quickly ahead of upcoming events on the demanding BWF World Tour calendar. Indian players, including Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty, are slated to compete in the Taipei Open BWF Super 300 tournament next, starting July 28. This intense encounter serves as a reminder of the fine margins at the elite level and the constant evolution required to stay at the top.