2024 Paris Olympics Badminton: Who will PV Sindhu face in the knockout stages? Mapping the Indian's probable path at the Games

PV Sindhu's campaign for the Paris Olympics will have an easy start, but things will get more complicated for the Indian as she moves on to the knockout stages. Badminton at the Games will begin on July 27 with the group-stage matches, before moving on to the round of 16 knockout stage, starting on August 1.

For Sindhu, her opening group-stage matches will give her a much-needed opportunity to get acquainted with the courts of La Chapelle Arena. She is placed in Group M alongside the lower-ranked Kristin Kuuba and Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq.

From there, the knockout stage draw will see the winners of Group M and Group N face off against each other, meaning that the Indian will likely run into China's He Bingjiao.

Sindhu and He have battled each other 20 times between 2015 and 2023, with the latter holding an 11-9 advantage in their head-to-head record.

If PV Sindhu does manage to ease past He Bingjiao in the Round of 16, she will almost certainly face He’s compatriot and reigning Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei.

The 26-year-old is currently ranked second in the world, and will likely be Sindhu’s biggest challenge at the Pairs Olympics. While the duo's head-to-head record is tied at 6-6, Sindhu hasn't managed to beat Chen since late 2019.

On the off-chance that Sindhu survives her encounter with Chen Yu Fei, the two-time Olympic medalist will mostly meet longtime rival and friend, Carolina Marin in the Paris Olympics semifinals.

After the semifinals, the draw opens up significantly. World No.1 An Se Young, Tokyo Olympics silver-medalist Tai Tzu Ying, and former World Champions Akane Yamaguchi and Ratchanok Intanon are all in the top half of the draw. While Young remains a favorite to make it through, none of the other three can be counted out.

PV Sindhu to be the Indian flag bearer at the Paris Olympics

A while before she takes the Indian flag on court with her, PV Sindhu will represent the nation’s tricolor at the Paris Olympics as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony alongside table tennis star Sharath Kamal.

Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha made the announcement last week, saying:

"I am delighted to announce that India's only woman to win two Olympic medals, PV Sindhu, as the female Flag-bearer alongside Table Tennis ace A. Sharath Kamal in the opening ceremony. I am confident that our athletes are well prepared to deliver the best results for India in Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

The Paris Olympics mark the first time Sindhu will be a flag bearer at the marquee event.