French Open 2026: P.V. Sindhu survives Supanida Katethong scare in 63-minute thriller

P.V. Sindhu survived a scare in the first round. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

India’s P.V. Sindhu survived a spirited challenge from Thailand’s Supanida Katethong to advance to the next round of the French Open 2026, winning a three-game thriller on Wednesday.

Sindhu prevailed 21-14, 8-21, 23-21 in a 63-minute encounter, holding her nerve in a tense decider after surrendering the second game.

The Indian started strongly, taking the opening game 21-14, but endured a difficult second game as Katethong seized control. The Thai shuttler raced through the game 21-8 to force a decider, leaving Sindhu with work to do.

Sindhu responded well in the final game, opening up a 13-6 lead and appearing to have the match under control. However, Katethong mounted a superb fightback, clawing her way back into the contest to level the score at 19-19.

The Thai continued to resist, forcing another tie at 20-20 and keeping the pressure firmly on the former world champion. Sindhu, though, held her composure when it mattered most, edging through 23-21 to seal a hard-fought victory and book her place in the next round.