Chen Yufei out of way, Sindhu to clash with Yamaguchi for title

Dubai, December 16

PV Sindhu stood a step away from clinching her maiden title at the Dubai Superseries Finals after defeating Chen Yufei of China in straight games in the women's singles semifinals.

The 22-year-old Indian dished out a controlled game to outclass the Chinese opponent 21-15 21-18 in a match that lasted a little less than an hour.

World No. 3 Sindhu thus emulated Saina Nehwal, who had reached the final in 2011 and the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju, who had ended runners-up in 2009. In the summit clash tomorrow, Sindhu will face world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan, who saw off Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 17-21 21-12 21-19 in another semifinal. Sindhu had thrashed Yamaguchi in straight games in her last Group A match yesterday.

In the first game, Sindhu rode on the unforced errors of Chen to open up a 5-0 lead. Chen opened her account when Sindhu found the net and soon drew parity.

Chen punished Sindhu for putting the shuttle short at the mid-court and grabbed a 8-6 lead when the Indian again committed an error. With Chen's shot going wide, Sindhu broke her rhythm and then unleashed a magnificent down-the-line smash to claw her way back at 8-8. Sindhu grabbed a 10-8 lead when the Chinese hit the net wide. A long rally ensued which ended with Sindhu failing to reach for the shuttle at the forecourt.

Another accurate return at the baseline and Chen made it 10-10 but she sent the shuttle out again as Sindhu enjoyed a slender 11-10 lead at the break.

After the breather, Chen struggled to control the shuttle to hand Sindhu a 15-11 lead. The Chinese exploited Sindhu's backhand forecourt with some beautiful backhand returns to make it 13-16 but Sindhu continued to gather points, producing some superb returns which her opponent could not negotiate. Chen defended a body smash from Sindhu but then again hit long as Sindhu grabbed five game points. The Indian sealed the game with an overhead return which Chen failed to reach. After the change of sides, Chen drew early lead but Sindhu unleashed a crosscourt smash after the Chinese tripped at the forecourt to draw parity at 2-2.

Using her height, the Indian reached for the shuttle early and produced some sharp acute-angled returns to move ahead to 6-3. Sindhu then produced a backhand flick near the net to grab another point before miscuing a shot. Sindhu added extra power to her returns, forcing her rival to commit errors. At 5-9, Chen pocketed a couple of points before a steep crosscourt return took Sindhu to 10-7. She entered the break when Chen hit wide again.

After the interval, Sindhu managed to extend the lead to 15-11 but she lost two video referrals after going long and wide. The duo engaged in another fierce rally which the Chinese closed out with a jump smash to draw parity at 15-15. Chen earned a slender lead with another superb return on Sindhu's backhand but she sent the shuttle wide next. 

Yellow card

Sindhu was then handed a yellow card for misconduct after she failed to return to the court on time. The Indian then grabbed three points, one being a lucky net chord to reach 19-16. Chen narrowed the gap after winning a long rally which left Sindhu exhausted. The Indian found the net next but after a couple of unforced errors by the Chinese, Sindhu lifted her hands in the air in celebration.  — PTI