PV Sindhu was eliminated from the Singapore Open 2024 after being defeated by Spain’s Carolina Marin in the Round of 16 match on Thursday, May 30. In a match characterized by fluctuations, the prominent Indian shuttler secured the first game but ultimately lost the match with a score of 21-11, 11-21, 20-22. This marked Sindhu’s sixth consecutive loss to the Spaniard.

Out of their 17 encounters in the BWF circuit, Marin has emerged victorious 12 times against Sindhu. The last time Sindhu defeated Marin was during the quarterfinal of the Malaysia Open in 2018, with a straight games win of 22-20, 21-19. Since then, Sindhu faced defeats against Marin in the World Championships, Indonesia Masters, Malaysia Open, and Denmark Open before the Singapore Open.

In the Singapore Open, Sindhu started strong by defeating Line Kjærsfeldt of Denmark with a score of 21-12, 22-20. However, against Marin, she initially dominated before her opponent staged a strong comeback. In the final game, Sindhu held a lead of 15-10 and later 18-15 before Marin mounted an impressive comeback.

Following her loss to Marin, Sindhu’s quest for a title continues after her victory at the Singapore Open in 2022. Since her return to the court in February this year, Sindhu also missed the Uber Cup and Thailand Open. In the Malaysia Masters, she surprised top seed Han Yue in the quarterfinals but lost to China’s Wang Zhiyi in the final with a score of 21-16, 5-21, 16-21.

Sindhu is now preparing for the Paris Olympics 2024, set to commence on July 26. Expectations are high for the 28-year-old, the only Indian woman to have won consecutive medals at the quadrennial event. Sindhu will undergo training at the Hermann-Neuberger Sportschule in Saarbrucken, Germany before heading to Paris.

New Delhi: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik on Saturday announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket after two decades of playing for the country.

His last match came in the 2024 edition of the IPL where his team Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost to  Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on May 22. After the match, he was given a guard of honour by his teammates.

“Having given plenty of thought for sometime now, I have decided to move on from playing competitive cricket. I officially announce my retirement and put my playing days behind me as I square up for the new challenges that lie ahead,” Karthik wrote on ‘X’.

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka dominated Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima in a commanding 6-2 6-2 victory under the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on Thursday, securing her spot in the French Open third round.

Sabalenka will now face one of two former French Open quarterfinalists, Yulia Putintseva or Paula Badosa.

Similarly, fourth seed Elena Rybakina overcame a sluggish start to secure a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus in Paris on Thursday, advancing to the third round of the French Open.

Rybakina’s impressive performance earned her a meeting with either Petra Martic or Elise Mertens in the upcoming match

Also, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina advanced to the third round of the French Open with commanding victories over Parisian Diane Parry in a compelling match.

No.15 seed Svitolina will face either Ana Bogdan or 2021 runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round.