Sindhu ends two-year wait for a title, Lakshya wins too

PV Sindhu let out that familiar victory roar, the face easing into a happy grin. The dream of a third successive Olympics podium didn't happen in Paris, and the scene wasn't one of the BWF Tour's feature events.

- Sharad Deep

And she wasn't even expected to be troubled on this romp.

Yet clinching the title at the Syed Modi India International on Sunday was a happy end to a frustratingly long wait. The Indian stalwart easing past China's world no. 119 Wu Luo Yu 21-14, 21-16 was the 29-year-old's first victory for over two years, going back to the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Lakshya Sen, like Sindhu the top seed, had it far more easier, defeating Singapore's Jia Heng Jason Teh 21-6, 21-7 in the men's singles final at the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Academy here.

Joy was etched on the face of the two-time Olympic medallist as it was her first BWF World Tour title since July 2022. Sindhu, who also won the Syed Modi title in 2017 and 2022, last won a BWF Tour title at the 2022 Singapore Open with the CWG success having followed that.