Sindhu, Verma falter at final hurdle

Kowloon, November 27 

India’s hopes of winning twin titles in the Hong Kong Open Super Series were dashed when PV Sindhu and Sameer Verma lost their respective final clashes here today.

Sindhu, aiming for her second successive Super Series title, lost 21-15 21-17 to Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying in a 41-minute clash. Verma went down 21-14 10-21 21-11 to local favourite Ng Ka Long Angus in a contest that lasted 50 minutes.

It was sweet revenge for Tzu Ying, who had lost to Sindhu most recently in the Rio Olympic Games. She now leads 5-3 in the head-to-head record against the Indian. World No. 3 and fourth seed Tzu Ying was in command from the beginning and produced a near-perfect all-round performance.

She grabbed the opening game without much trouble. The Indian, on the other hand, was found wanting in her net-play against a swift-moving rival. The second game was fought on a more even keel with Sindhu stepping it up slightly but once again she struggled to match the pace and range of Tzu Ying’s stroke-play. Tzu Ying’s ability to retrieve almost everything that Sindhu threw at her stood out.

The Indian took the lead at 11-10 but Tzu Ying drew level and took the lead soon after the break.

The Indian’s never-say-die spirit kept her afloat for a couple of more points but her inability to break free proved to be the difference.

Despite the loss, Sindhu was pleased with her performance and said that it was just not her day. “It was her day. I played well but she played well at the net, she didn’t make mistakes. There were good rallies. I’m happy with my performance,” Sindhu said.

In the men’s singles summit clash, Verma continued to show that he had the heart for a fight but that was just not enough against Angus even though the Indian led 2-0 in their head-to-head record. Verma was slow off the tracks and lost the first game in just 15 minutes. However, he roared back in the next game with some fine strokes from the baseline. Angus was distinctly sluggish in this game and Verma drew level to take the match into the third game.

However, the pendulum swung the other way in the decider and it was Angus’ turn to raise his game. With a partisan crowd firmly behind him, Angus kept widening the gap as the match progressed. 

World No. 43 Verma said his maiden final appearance boosted his confidence and he was eyeing a place in the top 10.  — PTI