New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Former world champion PV Sindhu launched her 2026 BWF World Championships campaign in emphatic fashion on Monday, defeating Ireland’s Sophia Noble 21-7, 21-11 in just 29 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
The fifth-seeded Irish debutant, ranked 141st in the world, struggled to cope with Sindhu’s pace and experience from the outset. The World No. 9 Indian quickly established an 8-0 lead, putting Noble under immediate pressure and setting the tone for a one-sided opening game.
Sindhu, 31, displayed her trademark control and composure throughout the contest, dictating the pace of rallies and preventing her 21-year-old opponent from finding any sustained rhythm. Although Noble eventually got on the scoreboard, the Indian had already created a substantial advantage and comfortably closed out the opening game 21-7.
The Irish shuttler showed greater confidence at the start of the second game. Noble stayed within touching distance during the first half and managed to keep the deficit to just three points at the interval, raising hopes of a more competitive battle.
Sindhu, however, quickly regained control after the break. The Indian stepped up her intensity and won 10 of the next 13 points, opening up a decisive lead and effectively ending Noble’s hopes of a comeback.
Sindhu eventually sealed the second game 21-11 to complete a convincing straight-games victory and advance to the women’s singles Round of 32.
The victory was particularly significant as Sindhu embarked on her 10th World Championships campaign. The Indian entered the tournament with an impressive record at the event, having already won five medals, including the historic gold in Basel in 2019. She had previously claimed silver at the 2017 and 2018 editions and bronze in 2013 and 2014.
Noble, in contrast, was making her World Championships debut, highlighting the considerable gap in experience between the two players.
Sindhu will now face a considerably tougher challenge in the next round when she takes on Canada’s World No. 49 Wen Yu Zhang. The Indian will look to maintain the momentum generated by her impressive opening performance as she targets another deep run in the prestigious tournament.
Sindhu was among three Indian combinations to progress on the opening day of the championships.
Earlier, India’s leading women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also secured a comfortable victory. The Indian duo defeated Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez 21-9, 21-13 to advance to the next round.
Treesa and Gayatri will face the 16th-seeded American combination of Lauren Lam and Allison Quynh Lee in their next match.
India also advanced in men’s doubles, with M. R. Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan progressing after their opening-round contest ended prematurely. The Indian pair was leading Ireland’s Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds 21-16, 6-4 when their opponents withdrew due to injury.
Arjun and Hariharan now face a significantly tougher assignment against the 15th-seeded South Korean pair of Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju.
With Sindhu leading the charge, India will hope for more strong performances across the draws as the 2026 World Championships gather pace in New Delhi.
