PV Sindhu Enters Asian Games 2018 Badminton Women's Singles Final After Beating Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 15-21, 21-10; Ensures Silver Medal for India

After Saina Nehwal clinching a bronze medal, all eyes were set on PV Sindhu who was all set to take on the Japanese badminton player Akane Yamaguchi in the semifinals of Asian Games 2018 Badminton in Jakarta. PV Sindhu also did not let the hopes of the Indian fans go in vain as she defeated Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 15-21, 21-10, thus ensuring a silver medal for India. The Indian shuttler had a rough start as she went on to concede one point. However, she fought hard and made a great comeback. Both the players refused to give up. At the mid-break of the first game, Sindhu had a 5 point lead and led the first game by 11-8. Both Sindhu and Akane hit splendid smashes across the court. By the end of the first game, Akane got into an attacking mode as she trailed by 15-17, but the Indian shuttler was on the driver’s seat snatched the game by 21-17. It just took her 22 minutes to win the game. (Check out our live blog for the Asian Games 2018) 

The second game began with 1-1. After claiming one more point, Akane miscued a backhand volley and trailed by 2-3. Sindhu once again made a huge body smash and was taking the lead. However, the scores were levelled once again by 4-4. Then came the longest rally between the two players which had 36 shots being hit across. Akane once again got into an attacking mode and at the mid-break, she led the game by 11-10. The Japanese just clinched victory by 20-15.

Once again the third game began by 1-1. The game was levelled by both players by 3-3. Sindhu however, once again got into the driving seat and got the ball rolling by 7-3 and continued to do so. However, Akane bucks up by pushing Sindhu against the wall with her backhand. In the mid-interval, the World number 3 had the 11-7 lead. Sindhu went on a hammering spree with 16-8. Akane, however, pulled back the strings and left no stone unturned to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat. The game ended with 21-10.

Indian shuttler PV Sindhu has had a ball of a time at the Asian Games 2018. Sindhu had earlier defeated Vietnam’s Thi Trang Vu in the Round of 32. Defeating Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, in the round of 16 by 21-12, 21-15.  Sindhu advanced to the quarterfinals from the round of 16 in the match that lasted for about 35 minutes. The Indian shuttler then outplayed Jindapol Nitchaon 21-10, 16-21, 21-14. On the other hand, the Japanese player has not had a best of the time in the tournament as she had already lost to Sindhu in a team event and also suffered a couple of more defeats.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2018 12:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).