Indian badminton star P. V. Sindhu delivered a commanding performance to book her place in the semifinals of the BWF Australian Open, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chen Su Yu 21-6, 21-9 in the women’s singles quarterfinals on Friday.
The two-time Olympic medallist dominated from the opening rally, controlling the match with aggressive shot-making and precise placement. Sindhu gave her opponent little opportunity to settle, racing through both games in one of her most convincing victories of the season.
Having been pushed hard in the previous round by fellow Indian Isharani Baruah, whom she defeated 22-20, 21-12, Sindhu looked a completely different player in the quarterfinals. This time, she was in complete command, barely making any errors as she wrapped up the contest with remarkable ease.
The victory sends Sindhu into only her second semifinal of the 2026 BWF World Tour season, providing a timely boost as she seeks to build momentum in the second half of the year.
Awaiting her in the last four is tournament top seed Akane Yamaguchi, who ended the impressive run of India’s teenage sensation Tanvi Sharma with a 21-14, 21-14 win.
Yamaguchi, a former world champion, showcased her renowned consistency and exceptional court coverage throughout the quarterfinal encounter. The Japanese star dictated the pace of the match and repeatedly frustrated Tanvi with her relentless defence and accuracy.
Tanvi had entered the quarterfinals after a series of standout performances and notable upsets, emerging as one of the tournament’s surprise packages. Although her campaign ended against a more experienced opponent, reaching the last eight marks another significant achievement for the young Indian and underlines her growing potential on the international stage.
The semifinal between Sindhu and Yamaguchi promises to be one of the standout matches of the tournament. Sindhu will take confidence from her dominant quarterfinal display, while Yamaguchi arrives in strong form as the top seed.
With a place in the final at stake, the encounter will provide Sindhu with an opportunity to continue her resurgence and move one step closer to claiming her first BWF World Tour title of the season.
