PV Sindhu has etched her name in badminton history, becoming the first Indian shuttler to achieve 500 career wins. This milestone was reached during her dominant performance at the Indonesia Masters 2026 in Jakarta, where she secured a straight-game victory against Denmark's Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt in the round of 16. The match, which lasted 42 minutes, saw Sindhu triumph with a score of 21-19, 21-18.
Sindhu's 500th win is not just a statistical achievement but a testament to her sustained excellence, adaptability, and relentless competitive spirit in a sport characterized by constant change and physical demands. It places her among an elite group of only six women's singles players in the history of international badminton to reach this remarkable figure.
Throughout her career, Sindhu has maintained an impressive win rate of 68.3%, demonstrating her consistent quality over more than a decade at the top level. Out of 732 matches played, she has a win-loss ratio of 456-227 on the BWF tour. This milestone serves as another reminder of her immense contribution to Indian badminton.
The match against Kjærsfeldt, the reigning European champion, was far from ceremonial. Kjærsfeldt, ranked 18th in the world, had previously defeated Sindhu at the Sudirman Cup last year and came into the match with confidence. She challenged Sindhu with a fearless, high-tempo style, engaging her in long rallies and testing her patience at the net and from the backcourt.
The opening game was a tightly contested tactical battle, with both players trading points. Neither player was able to establish a clear advantage early on. Sindhu showcased her ability to vary the pace of the game and utilize her height to create sharp angles, while Kjærsfeldt responded with her speed and counter-attacking prowess. In the crucial stages of the game, Sindhu demonstrated her mental fortitude, executing accurate attacking shots and making timely defensive retrievals to win the game 21-19.
With this victory, Sindhu advances to the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters 2026, where she will face top seed and world number four, Chen Yu Fei of China. The head-to-head record between Sindhu and Fei stands at 6-7, with Fei holding a slight edge. Sindhu's last victory against Fei was in 2019, and she will be aiming to improve her record in their upcoming encounter.
Lakshya Sen also progressed to the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters, securing a straight-game victory over Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong China.
