Carolina Marin and PV Sindhu are prepared for another fight

Carolina Marin and PV Sindhu are prepared for another fight: “The MOST FURIOUS Badminton Match of 2023” is a 7:43 video that has received over 4.7 million views on YouTube. “What happened between these so-called ‘best friends’?” is added to the description. The match in question was the Denmark Open women’s singles semifinal. PV Sindhu and Carolina Marin are, of course, the “so-called best friends.”

They will return to the court on Thursday at Singapore Open Super 750 following their heated match in October at Jyske Bank Arena. There will be a distinct edge even though, based on their social media activities since then, water may have flown under the bridge.

Both teams will roar in celebration of major scores, and even after the points are done, the shuttles will become the center of attention. The screams will resurface. Get the popcorn ready.

Both Sindhu and Marin had games they could have won in the first round, and when the draw was announced, the round-of-16 matchup seemed quite likely. Shortly after Sindhu defeated Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt 21-12, 22-20, Marin defeated the hard-charging Malaysian Goh Jin Wei 22-20, 21-18.

To secure it in straight games, though, the Indian had to dig deep. Marin would have been focused on this court because it appeared like she would win quickly, but in Game 2, the Dane gave Sindhu a 20-16 lead.

Sindhu traveled to Singapore following her 327-minute on-court performance at last week’s Malaysian runners-up match. She has stated that she feels at her best physically, but even before a shuttle was hit in rage, she would have suffered a setback having to play a potentially taxing three-game first-round match the day before facing Marin. After trailing 16–20, Sindhu put on a show and scored six points in a row to win the match against Kjaersfeldt in straight games.

A furious confrontation in Denmark

Sindhu and Marin have faced off in 16 exciting head-to-head matches dating back to 2011, but on that particular day in Odense, tensions reached an all-time high. Although Marin has outperformed Sindhu historically (leading 11–5, including the memorable Olympic gold medal victory over the Spaniard in Rio), Sindhu has never shied away from a battle with the man from Spain.

Tension was evident from the start of the Danish match, as Marin roared passionately and Sindhu followed suit. Although the umpire asked them to temper their celebrations, it didn’t seem to have much of an impact. Sindhu gradually became aware of Marin’s propensity to serve before her opponent was prepared. Sindhu made the decision to return the favor verbally with Marin up 8-2 in the decisive match.

Then, trying to maintain momentum while she had the advantage, Marin attempted to make her signature move of racing to the net to grab the shuttle after a point. Sindhu made the hasty choice to challenge the dead shuttle because she was determined not to let that happen. Rackets collided. Words of rage were spoken. Marin had no business reaching over to the other side since Sindhu was convinced that the shuttle was on her side. Finally, for their unsportsmanlike behavior, both players were given yellow cards. It turned into the topic of the badminton world.

Though Sindhu shown adequate energy in the first two games, Marin ultimately cruised to a 21-7 victory in the championship match. Sindhu wrote on Instagram following the game, “I would like to ask everyone not to spread hate.” In the heat of the moment, emotions might run high, but hatred is not the answer.

“I never wanted to fight against you personally, but we were both battling to win that game. I apologize for acting in this manner in front of everyone. The former Olympian answered, “See ya soon, buddy. “Carolina, things happen in the heat of the moment,” Sindhu concurred. In the ensuing weeks, a few amicable Instagram pictures also surfaced.

And now, as the Olympic Games approach at the end of May, the two “so-called friends” are back at it. Based on her performance in the Kuala Lumpur run, Sindhu feels that she is back on track. However, none will put her courtship to the test more than Marin, who plays with an aggressive tempo both during and between points. Although Sindhu may have been at fault for being drawn into the vortex that day in Odense (who can blame her? ), she will be aware that confronting Marin head-on about her hostility may be the simpler aspect of the situation. More important will be matching the lefty’s style of play and deftly changing the tempo to match her speed.

Axelsen is pushed by Lakshya

Lakshya Sen defeated world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles match after overcoming a sluggish start. However, Sen ultimately lost 21-13 16-21 21-13. With effective usage of slices, reverse slices, and half smashes crosscourt, Lakshya forced Axelsen to look for answers in the second half of the match and early in the decider. However, in the end, the Great Dane outmuscled Lakshya. It was only the second time that their showdown had ended in a three-game affair, and Axelsen’s enormous elation at the finish was a testament to how hard Lakshya had pushed him that day. Despite losing, the Indian can look back on some wins as he prepares for Paris.

In men’s singles, HS Prannoy is the final Indian remaining after defeating Julien Carraggi of Belgium in three games. In the women’s doubles, world No. 85 Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr shocked Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, who were headed to Paris, but Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won in straight games to maintain their position.