Mumbai: India’s pride, PV Sindhu smashed hard to step up in World Super Series Final. Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu made a winning start to her maiden campaign at the prestigious BWF World Super Series Final, defeating higher-ranked Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in an entertaining opening women’s singles Group B match on Wednesday.
World No. 10 P. V. Sindhu, defeated higher-ranked Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in an exciting opening women’s singles, Group B match on Wednesday.
India’s badminton hero was faced against the 19-year-old Yamaguchi. She is a two-time World junior champion and winner of Denmark Open and Korea Open this year.
The rip-roaring match, which lasted little over an hour leaded Sindhu to score 12-21, 21-8, 21-15 over her second seeded rival.
Sindhu opened the match with a weak lead which failed to last for a long time and Yamaguchi took an elusive lead later.
After a dismayed match, Sindhu truly found her touch at 7-7 in the second game. The Olympic silver-medalist reeled off 13 straight points to reach game-point.
Sindhu has been marked with ‘good form’ these days with recent win at China Super Series Premier and her advent into the finals of Hong Kong Open.
In the decider, too, Sindhu didn’t allow her five-feet two-inch rival to raise the bar. She stayed in the lead after Yamaguchi had made it 1-1.
Though the taller Indian had the advantage of reach, Yamaguchi stayed alive in the match with some timely retrieves and placements but Sindhu was not to be denied on this day.
Sindhu’s beautifully used her well-known defensive skills and choice of strokes, in the game, letting her trademark qualities alive.
On Thursday, Sindhu plays Sun Yu. The players have beaten each other three times, with Sindhu winning their last meeting, the final of the China Open last month. The winner of this clash is also likely to seal her place in the semifinals.