Sindhu, world number 9, fought back before losing 17-21, 11-21 in 39 minutes of women’s singles.
Sindhu was little laid back throughout the game while her world number 17 opponent showed more agility and attacking intent.
This is the third time that two-time Olympic medalist Sindhu has lost her first-round match this year.
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She had lost to Carolina Marin of Spain at the Malaysia Open in January before leaving the Indian Open at the same stage in the same month.
She had recently parted ways with her coach Park Tae-sang of Korea, under whose guidance she won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
There wasn’t much to differentiate initially between the two who had a 1-1 head-to-head record heading into Wednesday’s game.
Sindhu led 6-5 then 16-13. But the Chinese commuter won seven straight points to lead 20-16 before winning the opener in 21 minutes.
In the second game, the two players were tied at 5-5 but Sindhu made a few unforced errors and quickly lost 5-10.
Sindhu recovered a little to trail 7-11 but quickly lost 9-16 before losing game two and the match.
Earlier today, India’s women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly And Gayatri Gopichand Pullela stunned seventh-seeded Thailand duo of Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai 21-18 21-14 in a 46-minute first-round match.
The Indian duo will meet the Japanese pair of Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota in the pre-quarterfinals.
Tuesday, Lakshya Sen And HS Prannoy had won their respective matches in the first round in men’s singles.
(With PTI entries)