Changzhou (China), Sep 20 (TIWN) Newly-crowned world champion P.V. Sindhu crashed out of the ongoing China Open World Tour Super 1000 badminton tournament as she went down fighting to Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong on Thursday. Fifth seeded Sindhu lost 12-21, 21-13, 21-19 in a thrilling second-round contest that lasted for almost an hour.

India’s top shuttler Sindhu lost to Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-12, 13-21, 19-21 in a duel which lasted for more than 50 minutes.  Sindhu, who came into the match with a 3-0 lead against Pornpawee, dominated the first game as she lead 7-1 early on but the Thai shuttler reduced the deficit to 10-11 at the break.  However, Sindhu reeled off eight straight points after the interval to jump to 19-10 and eventually sealed the first game comfortably. 

In the second game, Pornpawee changed gears and moved to a 5-1 advantage initially. Sindhu clawed back to 7-9 before the Thai youngster jumped to 15-7 with six straight points and held her fort to roar back into the contest. 

The decider started on an even note as the duo fought hard, moving together till 6-6 when Sindhu surged ahead to enjoy a 11-7 cushion at the break.  However, Pornpawee kept breathing down Sindhu's neck and slowly moved to 15-19. From there, the Thai shuttler blasted six points to leave the Indian shocked.  Earlier, Sindhu had defeated China’s Li Xuerui 21-18, 21-12 in just 34 minutes to set up a clash with Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong.  With this loss, India's challenge in the women's singles event has come to an end as Saina Nehwal had made an exit after losing her opening-round clash to Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan.