Dubai: PV Sindhu inched closer to her maiden Dubai Super Series title after she handed a straight set defeat to China’s Chen Yufei in the semi-final on Saturday.
The World Championship silver medalist put on a controlled show as he outplayed Yufei 21-15, 21-18 and would now face Japanese Akane Yamaguchi in the summit clash on Sunday.
Said Sindhu after the match, “Overall, it was a very good quality match. Though I won in straight games, there were long rallies. It never got over till the last point. I was just thinking about the next point, each point is important. Chen is an upcoming player and she has played exceptionally well. Her defence is solid.
Yamaguchi, on the other hand Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 17-21, 21-12 and 21-19 to book a spot in the final. But Sindhu would have a slight psychological edge given the fact that the 22-year-old has defeated the Japanese during their group A clash.
“I really want to be the first Indian woman to win this tournament. Yamaguchi will be a tough opponent. I will have to be prepared. It will be a long, big match, so not thinking anything now. There will not be easy points,” Sindhu added further.
It was a display of sheer control and determination by the Olympic silver medalist as he never let Yufei make a comeback in the match. In the first game, the Chinese tried hard to battle it out with a mix of agility and net play but failed to make may impact as Sindhu seemed to have an answer for everything.
The Indian led 11-10 at the break and after it, she never really lost control of the game as she ended up winning the first set 21-15.
After breezing through the first game, Yufei gave her a tough fight in the second match where she kept on equalling Sindhu. At one point, Yufei had things at 15-15 but she couldn’t control the rampaging Sindhu who eventually won the game and the match in a dominant manner.