Indonesia Masters: PV Sindhu loses to Akane Yamaguchi in semifinal

Sindhu, seeded third, was not at her usual best and trailed her Japanese opponent from the start in both the games.

In the second game, Sindhu had a brief lead before Yamaguchi dominated her rival all throughout to seal the issue in her favour.

The Japanese will now play the winner of the other semifinal between fourth seed An Seyoung and Thailand’s Phittayaporn Chaiwan.

India’s challenge in the event now rests on Kidambi Srikanth, who will play third seed Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the men’s singles semifinals, later in the day.