Sindhu stays unbeaten

Dubai, December 15 

Already assured of a semifinal spot, PV Sindhu dispatched Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in straight games but Kidambi Srikanth’s dismal run ended with another defeat at the $1 million Dubai Superseries Finals.

World No. 3 Sindhu thrashed world No. 2 Yamaguchi 21-9 21-13 in just 36 minutes to top Group A in the women’s singles at the Sheikh Hamdan Indoor Stadium. 

However, world No. 4 Srikanth suffered his third straight loss in the men’s singles Group B, going down 17-21 21-19 14-21 to Chinese Shi Yuqi in the last group stage match.

Sindhu will face China’s Chen Yufei, who saw off Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 21-18 13-21 21-18 in another Group B match.

The 22-year-old Indian dominated the proceedings even as Yamaguchi got buried under a heap of unforced errors. Before the match, Sindhu had a 4-2 head-to-head record against Yamaguchi, which included a win at the Hong Kong Superseries last month.

Sindhu takes lead

Sindhu made a rousing start to the match, zooming to a 5-0 lead. An error at the net allowed Yamaguchi to break it before Sindhu wrested back the serve. The Japanese was affected by a series of unforced errors as she sent the shuttle flying wide and long. Sindhu entered the opening break at 11-1 with a superb return and continued to rule the roost after the breather, reaching 15-4. Yamaguchi won points sporadically, exploiting the Indian’s backhand a couple of times, but she failed to curb her unforced errors.

At 18-6, Sindhu committed a fault at the net but she followed that with a smash and gained 13 game points when her opponent went wide again. 

Yamaguchi saved a couple of game points before Sindhu wrapped up the opening game with a delightful crosscourt drop. 

Fierce rallies

The second game started with Sindhu and Yamaguchi splitting four points after engaging in some fierce rallies. At 6-7, the duo engaged in a long rally before Yamaguchi sent it wide. 

A couple of unforced errors and Sindhu was leading 6-8. The Japanese again narrowed it down to 8-9 before an accurate down-the-line smash and an error at the net by Yamaguchi helped Sindhu enter the break with a three-point advantage. The ordeal continued for Yamaguchi as she struggled to control the shuttle, allowing Sindhu to move to a 13-8 lead. 

A favourable video referral and a miscued shot by a stretched Sindhu gave a couple of points to the Japanese before Sindhu unleashed a roaring smash.

A low lift at the forecourt and an overhead return going to net swelled Sindhu’s lead. The Indian capitalised on a crosscourt drop, reaching 18-12. A deceptive return and another miscued shot by Yamaguchi handed Sindhu seven match points and she sealed it with a quick reflex near the net. 

Lee Chong Wei loses

In the other matches of the day, Viktor Axelsen bt Chou Tien Chen 21-16 14-21 21-15 and Son Wan Ho beat Lee Chong Wei 13-21 22-20 21-15.  Tai Tzu Ying beat Sung Ji Hyun 21-17 21-11. — PTI