Mumbai: India’s Olympics silver medallist, PV Sindhu pulled off a victory after coming from behind to defeat Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun at the China Open in Fuzhou on Saturday. Sindhu is just one hurdle away from clinching her Super series Premiere title as she has entered the finals China Open.
In a thrilling contest that lasted for one hour and 24 minutes, Sindhu got the better of Ji Hyun as she defeated her with a score of 11-21, 23-21, and 21-19. Sindhu registered her sixth victory over Ji Hyun in nine encounters.
Ji Hyun took Sindhu by a storm in the first game as she dominated the entire game right after gaining a 5-1 lead early on. Ji Hyun kept at increasing her lead and eventually winning the first game.
Sindhu sprung back in the second game going toe to toe with Ji Hyun till 7-7 until Ji Hyun shifted gears to enter the break with a 11-7 lead.
Post break, Sindhu caught up the Korean with four points but the Korean again gained the lead to 20-17. Sindhu showing some grit saved two points with some fabulous shots which included angled drop shot to draw level. Sindhu reached a game point but wasted it before smashing a long rally to get back in the game.
In the decider, Sindhu was trailing early on as she was trailing 3-7 down but soon fought back to gain a slender lead of 10-9 but Ji Hyun won an exciting rally to go into break with a lead. Ji Hyun drew first blood after break moving to 12-10 as Sindhu backhand drop went out but Sindhu was fighting back relentlessly.
A superb forehand from Sindhu and an error from Ji Hyun helped Sindhu gain a two point lead at 20-18. Sindhu emerged victorious with a blazing cross court smash.
Sindhu had reached her maiden Super Series final at the Denmark Open last year but missed to claim it as she lost in straight games to to 2012 Olympic champion China’s Li Xuerui.
The two-time bronze medallist at World Championship Sindhu will face local favourite Sun Yu in the finals of the China Open.