KUALA LUMPUR: Former world champion PV Sindhu hopes to end her close to two-year title drought by winning her third Malaysia Masters title at the Axiata Arena here to gain a timely boost for the Paris Olympics from July 26 to Aug 11.
The world No. 15 Indian shuttler, who last tasted victory at the Singapore Open in July 2022, believes a good run in the last few World Tour tournaments will elevate her confidence as she is gunning for a third Olympic medal in Paris.
Sindhu, 28, clinched silver at Rio 2016, and bronze at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
"I am hoping to win the tournament here.
"July is right at the corner, so it is very important to be at the top level during the Olympics. I hope to finish on the podium again in Paris," she told reporters today.
The 2019 world champion ousted Scotland's Kirsty Gilmouor 21-17, 21-16 in the first round at the Malaysia Masters today and will face South Korean Sim Yu Jin, tomorrow.
Sindhu won the Malaysia Masters in 2013 (previously known as Malaysia GP Gold) and 2016.
She is expecting a highly competitive Olympics in Paris.
"The top 15 in the world are almost at the same level," she added. – Bernama