It’s all happening on the quarter final day of Hong Kong Open 2016, where TY Tai (TPE), Carolina Marin (ESP) and PV Sindhu (IND) already made to the semi-final stage. The match between Saina and Cheung Ngan Y (HKG) is awaited and if Saina wins, it will be her first meeting with Sindhu in any match. The Women’s Singles is getting interesting as the semi-final and final stages are getting closer.
PV Sindhu continued her Olympic run as she entered semi-finals of Hong Kong Open by defeating Liang Xiayou of Singapore 21-17, 21-23, 21-18 in a hard fought match. After this win, she is all geared up to play the semi-final for potential semi-final against Saina Nehwal or Cheung Ngan. Although it was a poor start for Sindhu for the quarter final but she managed to pull out a fighting win in three sets.
Her opponent for the match Xiayou always closed the gap but Sindhu maintained her nerves and ended the first set with 21-17 win in her favor. In the second set, it was again a poor start by Sindhu where she trailed by 6-3 when she realized that it’s a must win game and situation for her. The Singaporean Shuttler let the advantage slip as the world no. 9 managed to level the game at 6-6.
It was the aggression and determination at play as the second set was undecided till 21-21 points. In the second game, it was inspirational game by Xiayou to drew level after trailing by 13-17. With her powerful play she caught-up with Sindhu to pull the game 21-21 each and then won it by 23-21. In an epic two minute rally Xiayou came as straight winner to take the lost game with slight margin.
In the third and final set, both players were firing their best bullets and it was a see-saw battle, worth watching. At one point, Sindhu was leading while at another Xiayou was on the front. It was “never give up” attitude of Sindhu that led her to five consecutive points win to close the gap to 14-15. Every point was fought hard and it was anyone’s game as both players weren’t giving their best shot at it. It went to the last minute where a calm-nerved Sindhu took the third and deciding game by 21-18.
Throughout Hong Kong Open Sindhu was winning in less than 45 minutes but this exertion must have taken a toll on her as she is fresh from China Open final. It’s now or never situation for both Sindhu and Saina. While Saina is fighting hard to make a comeback and win a series Sindhu is having wonderful time of her career. I wished for Sindhu & Saina final but semi-final will be more interesting.