India Open: Sindhu falls short in yet another epic battle
Sindhu has now lost narrowly in multiple finals at big events, including the 2016 Rio Olympics.
New Delhi: USA’s Beiwen Zhang dashed P.V. Sindhu’s hopes of retaining the $350,000 Yonex-Sunrise India Open women’s singles title in a pulsating title clash here on Sunday.
The Las Vegas-based Zhang took down the top seed 21-18, 11-21, 22-20 in a gripping 69-minute battle at a packed Siri Fort Indoor Stadium to win the World Tour 500 event.
While the fifth seeded Zhang pocketed $26,250 and 9200 ranking points for her effort, Sindhu had to be content with $13,300 and 7800 ranking points.
Prior to Sunday’s loss, Sindhu had won twice and lost once against the American.
Fourth seed Shi Yuqi of China won the men’s crown, beating world no. 7 and third seeded Taiwanese Chou Tien Chen 21-18, 21-14 in a 47-minute duel.
Sindhu has now lost narrowly in multiple finals at big events, including the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Leading 20-19 in the final game, Sindhu squandered a championship point by hitting a return into the net.
Zhang capitalised on the opportunity to deny the world no. 4 any further leeway, claiming three points in a row to seal the deciding game 22-20.
The first game was closely contested, with both players level at 15 points before Sindhu conceded three points.
Zhang rode on the momentum to win it 21-18.
Sindhu upped her game to make a quick recovery in the second game. She covered the court well and minimised errors to level the scores, winning the second game 21-11.
The deciding game flowed neck-and-neck and at 20-20, it could have gone either way. But Sindhu failed to compose herself at that crucial juncture and lost the battle.
Zhang, who travels without a coach, said she had nothing to lose and the pressure was more on her rival to deliver.
“I think she took more pressure than me,” Zhang said after winning.
The victory was sweet for her as she did not win a single match during the Premier Badminton League held in India last month.
“I didn’t win any match (in the PBL) and now I have all of it,” she added.
Fifth seed Danish combo of Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen prevailed 21-14, 21-15 over Indonesia’s Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti in a 37-minute match to claim the mixed doubles crown, their first title together.
In the women’s doubles, third seeds Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu of Indonesia beat second seeds Thai duo of Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai 21-18, 21-15 in the final.
Second seeds Danes Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen claimed the mixed doubles title, upstaging Indonesia’s Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti 21-14, 21-15 in 37 minutes.