Singapore: Double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu won the Singapore Open Super 500 trophy after outsmarting China’s Wang Zhi Yi in an intense women’s singles final here on Sunday.
In an error-filled title fight, Sindhu managed to stay strong in key moments to take trumps against 22-year-old Wang, the reigning Asian Championship gold medalist. The final score was 21-9 11-21 21-15 in favor of the Indian.
The 27-year-old from Hyderabad came into the game with a 1-0 lead over Wang after beating the Chinese player in their only meeting at the All England Championships this year.
Sindhu produced another fine performance to take her third world tour title of the season.
Toss played a big part in the game where drift in the hall made life difficult for the shuttlers. Wang’s decision to side put her in an advantageous position as she faced the drift after the final half change.
Sindhu, however, managed to limit the mistakes and keep her nerves to eventually emerge victorious.
After losing the first two points, Sindhu used her reach to catch the shuttle early, played some fantastic angled returns and produced winner after winner to stay ahead of the entire opening game.
By playing against the drift, the Indian was able to go for her shots, even as Wang hit wide and long. Sindhu amassed 11 straight points on the trot to zoom into the mid-game interval at 11-2.
The Indian kept her tight grip on the game after the resumption to quickly finish the opening game.
However, the second game turned out to be an unforgettable affair for Sindhu as Wang, now on the better side of the field, showed her prowess.
The Chinese quickly led 11-3 after Sindhu sent the shuttle for a long time.
Sindhu tried to use the shot from the spinning net and use the holes on the field to make a comeback, but there were too few points to get past as Wang kept moving forward.
At 8-15, Sindhu failed to complete a weak return with her opponent on the floor. In the end, a jump smash helped Wang take a whopping 10 game points and she converted it in her second attempt at a roaring comeback.
The match came alive in the decider as the duo played some lengthy rallies.
Although Wang appeared to be full of energy at first, Sindhu was patient and after an initial 5-5 duel, she played a great smash and ended a long rally with a ravishing drop shot to leave her opponent on the ground.
The Indian took a five-point lead at the break after another great cross-court smash from a deep forehand angle.
Back on the better side after the last half change, Wang narrowed the deficit to 11-12 with Sindhu committing errors.
However, the Indian managed to take a four point lead with a good follow-up shot. Wang played some fantastic drops and hold-and-disguise pushes to breathe into the Indian’s neck.
However, an alert Sindhu produced an offensive return on her rivals’ forehand to advance to 18-14 before Wang sent one to the net.
Just two points away, Sindhu struck long before unleashing a smash to cap off an intense rally and take five match points.
Wang batted wide as Sindhu threw her arms in the air to celebrate.
The title run will be a big boost for Sindhu, who will lead India at the Commonwealth Games, which start in Birmingham on July 28.
This was her third title of the season – after winning two Super 300 crowns in Syed Modi International and Swiss Open – and complemented her packed cabinet with a gold, two silver and as many bronze medals from the World Championships in addition to two Olympic medals. . medals.
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