PV Sindhu Makes Winning Start at 2026 Badminton World Championships

Indian badminton star and former world champion PV Sindhu began her 2026 BWF World Championships campaign in impressive fashion, defeating Ireland’s Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11 in the opening round at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Monday. Playing in front of a home crowd, the ninth-seeded Sindhu dominated from the opening rally and quickly established control over the contest. She raced ahead early and never allowed Noble to settle into the match.

Sindhu maintained her intensity throughout the second game as well. Although Noble attempted to put up a stronger fight, the Indian shuttler controlled the rallies and produced attacking strokes at crucial moments to keep her opponent under pressure. Sindhu eventually closed out the match 21-7, 21-11 in 29 minutes to advance to the women’s singles Round of 32. The victory gives the former world champion a confident start to her campaign on home soil.