New Delhi, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former world champion PV Sindhu made a confident start to her 2026 BWF World Championships campaign, defeating Ireland’s Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11 in just 29 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Monday to enter the women’s singles Round of 32.
The ninth-ranked Sindhu, seeded fifth, immediately established her authority against Noble, the 21-year-old Irish debutant ranked 141st in the world. The Indian raced to an 8-0 lead before Noble could settle into the match.
Sindhu’s experience was evident throughout the opening game. The 31-year-old controlled the rallies effectively and prevented Noble from building any sustained momentum. Although the Irishwoman eventually opened her account, Sindhu comfortably closed out the game 21-7.
Noble showed greater composure in the second game and remained within touching distance during the opening half. She went into the interval trailing by only three points, briefly raising the prospect of a more competitive contest.
Sindhu, however, stepped up immediately after the break, winning 10 of the next 13 points to establish a decisive advantage. She eventually sealed the game 21-11 and completed a comfortable opening-round victory.
The match marked Noble’s first appearance at the World Championships, while Sindhu entered the tournament with five medals from previous editions, including her 2019 world title in Basel. She also won Olympic silver in 2016 and bronze in 2020.
Sindhu will face Canada’s World No. 49 Wen Yu Zhang in the Round of 32.
The Indian was among three Indian winners on the opening day.
Earlier, the women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand defeated Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez 21-9, 21-13 to progress to the next round. They will face 16th-seeded Americans Lauren Lam and Allison Quynh Lee.
In men’s doubles, M. R. Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan advanced after Ireland’s Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds retired with an injury while trailing 16-21, 4-6. The Indians will next meet 15th-seeded South Koreans Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju.
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