Sindhu wins, Srikanth sinks in opener

Dubai, December 13 

Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu made a positive start to her campaign but Kidambi Srikanth suffered a straight-game loss on the opening day of the $1 million Dubai Super Series Finals here today.

The 22-year-old Sindhu, who had a 4-5 head-to-head record against world No. 9 He Bingjiao, dished out a gritty performance to overcome the left-handed Chinese 21-11 16-21 21-18 in a Group A match that lasted an hour and four minutes.

World No. 4 Srikanth, however, couldn’t bring out his top game as he suffered a 21-13 21-17 loss to world No. 1 and defending champion Viktor Axelsen in a Group B men’s singles match that lasted just 38 minutes. Srikanth seemed off-colour as Axelsen towered over the Indian with his better agility and placements.

Sindhu faces Japan’s Sayaka Sato next, while Srikanth will take on Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen tomorrow.

Playing an opponent she has faced twice this year, Sindhu showed good defence as she engaged her rival in rallies. Sindhu showed immaculate defence to counter Bingjiao’s strokes and pushed the Chinese to commit errors. 

Sindhu continued to dominate the proceedings after the break, moving to 17-8. Sindhu closed out the game with a crosscourt smash.

In the second game, Bingjiao surged to 4-0 before Sindhu drew parity at 7-7. But Bingjiao eventually held a slender 11-9 lead at the break.

After the breather, Sindhu went 12-11 ahead, but the Chinese once again turned the tables. She produced a couple of superb drop shots to make it 17-13.

Sindhu saved one game point to make it 16-20 before the Chinese sealed it with another delectable return.

In the decider, Bingjiao led 4-2 initially but Sindhu clawed back at 5-5.

The Indian soon started controlling the rallies and eventually went ahead 11-7.

Bingjiao continued to breathe down Sindhu’s neck with her attacking game. But Sindhu edged towards game point before sealing the match. — PTI