Hylo Open 2026: Sindhu defeats Kharb in straight games, to face Kjaersfeldt in final

File photo: PV Sindhu’s pace and reach pinned Anmol Kharb back, blunting the forecourt movement and low net play. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

P.V. Sindhu used her reach and powerful clears to pull Anmol Kharb out of position, winning the Hylo Open 2026 semifinal 21-13, 21-16 in Saarbrücken. The second seed will face top seed Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt from Denmark in the final.

Kharb made a positive start, taking a 6-5 lead in the opening game before Sindhu edged ahead 11-9 at the interval.

Sindhu built her game around long, high-looping baseline clears, using her reach to push Kharb deep into the court. Her steep angles and heavy strokes prevented the youngster from stepping forward to intercept the shuttle comfortably.

Kharb’s low defensive posture and impressive court coverage helped her turn tight net exchanges into counter-attacking opportunities. She also looked to create openings with agile forecourt movement and delicate touches at the net. However, Sindhu’s depth and power repeatedly pushed her onto the back foot.

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Sindhu pulled clear at 14-10, capitalising on Kharb’s short lifts to attack. In the flat mid-court exchanges, her greater reach allowed her to dictate the pace and force errors.

Kharb needed to bring Sindhu forward with soft, tumbling net drops and tighter cross-court blocks rather than offer mid-court lifts that left her vulnerable to powerful smashes. But Sindhu maintained control and closed out the opening game 21-13, using her deep clears to keep Kharb on her heels.

The second game was more closely contested in the early stages, with the scores level at 6-6. Sindhu continued to dictate play with strong overhead clears and sharp cross-court drops, while Kharb stayed in contention through quick retrievals and aggressive mid-court drives.

Unforced errors crept into the contest during the fast exchanges at the net. Kharb’s occasional loose lifts gave Sindhu opportunities to attack, and the Indian made the most of them with decisive smashes, including down the line.

Kharb continued to probe with her touch at the net, but Sindhu’s power from the baseline never allowed her to settle. The second seed eventually sealed the game 21-16 to book her place in the final.