Former champion PV Sindhu’s wretched run continued as she bowed out of the BWF World Championships, but HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen produced commanding performances to enter the third round in men’s singles, here on Tuesday.

The most successful Indian at World Championships with five medals, Sindhu lacked any sting in her attack and went down 14-21, 14-21 to old nemesis Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.

The Japanese is a 2017 gold medallist and silver winner in 2019.

It is the first time in her career that Sindhu, seeded 16th, has failed to reach the quarter finals at the prestigious tournament.

A disappointed Sindhu said she needs to work on her game comeback stronger in future tournaments.

“I really need to work hard on my mental and physical fitness. I know such losses make you feel really bad but it is part and parcel of game and life. But it is important for me to come back stronger for the next championships,” she said.

“We are both playing after a log time. She is coming back from an injury and I too came back from an injury.

“So there is a similarity there. But today (Tuesday), I felt it wasn’t my game. I gave away the match in the second game.”

In men’s singles, world No. 9 Prannoy produced a masterclass as he tamed Indonesia’s Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21-9, 21-14 to set up a clash with 2021 champion, Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.

Earlier, Sen, a bronze medallist at the 2021 edition, prevailed 21-11, 21-12 over the world No. 51 Korean Jeon Hyeok Jin.

The Indian, thus, settled his score against the Korean, who had defeated him in their only meeting at the Asia Team Championship in 2022.

Sen was alert and took the initiatives during the rallies, showing his retrieval skills, speed and shot selection to dominate the proceedings.

PTI