Seeded 10th in women’s singles at the Paris Olympics, PV Sindhu faces an advantageous start with a favorable group-stage draw. Her opening matches include World No. 75 Kristin Kuuba from Estonia and Maldives’ Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq, ranked 111th, both of whom Sindhu has previously defeated.
Sindhu’s main challenge will come in the Round of 16 against China’s He Bingjiao, whom she defeated for the Tokyo Olympics bronze. Despite this, Bingjiao won their last encounter at the 2022 Asian Games and holds a narrow lead in their head-to-head record.
PV Sindhu’s Path to Paris Olympic Podium
Should Sindhu advance past Bingjiao, she is likely to meet Chen Yufei in the quarter-finals. Yufei, the defending Olympic Champion and winner of the recent Indonesia Open, poses a significant threat. Although Sindhu has historically performed well against Chinese players, Yufei is in peak form.
Sindhu’s past encounters with Yufei have been competitive, with Yufei winning their most recent match at the French Open. Sindhu’s strong showing there, however, suggests she has the potential to overcome this formidable opponent.
A podium finish in Paris would make Sindhu the first Indian athlete to earn three individual Olympic medals. Despite recent injuries and inconsistent form, her group-stage draw and potential matchups offer a promising path to this historic achievement.