Glasgow: P.V. Sindhu’s gallant effort to win India’s first world badminton singles title ended in a heart-breaking defeat to Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in an epic final here on Sunday. In the longest match of the world championships, which tested the physical and mental strength of the players, Sindhu was beaten 19-21, 22-20, 20-22 in an hour and 49 minutes.
Okuhara became the first Japanese to win a world badminton singles title. After closing the second game by winning an incredible 73-shot rally, Sindhu saved one championship point in the decider but it was the Rio Olympic bronze medallist who had the last laugh.
For India, it still is a historic edition since for the first time the country’s shuttlers are returning with two medals. Saina Nehwal grabbed a bronze on Saturday after losing her semi-final. Sindhu, seeded fourth, was a little sluggish to start with and was 3-5 at one point but she managed to reel off eight points on the trot to grab an 11-5 lead at the break.
Nozomi Okuhara poses with her gold medal. (Photo: AFP)
The Indian used her height to good effect, retrieving the shuttles quickly and started using her cross-court returns to trouble the Japanese. Sindhu showed good anticipation and used deception well to move to a 13-8 lead but the pint-sized Japanese changed gears. She clawed back to 14-14 when Sindhu faltered with her return serve before grabbing the lead.
Okuhara continued to move ahead, reaching 18-14 before Sindhu levelled 19-19. Sindhu then sent one to the net to hand over the game point to Okuhara. After the change of side, Okuhara struggled to control her lifts and also miscued a few shots as Sindhu led 5-1. However, Sindhu sent the shuttle wide thrice as Okuhara reached 7-9. A net error stopped Okuhara’s run as Sindhu held a 11-8 lead, which she extended to 18-16.
Not ready to give up, Okuhara fell back on her extraordinary net game to save three game points. Sindhu then won a point by pushing the shuttle at the back of the court. What ensued next was a 73-shot long and exhausting rally which Sindhu managed to win.
In the decider, Okuhara opened up a 5-1 lead but clever returns helped the Indian claw back at 5-5 and then lead 11-9. They moved neck-and-neck till 17-17 before the Indian grabbed a 19-17 lead. A net error from Sindhu handed a match point to Okuhara but the Indian saved it.
The Japanese grabbed the match point again when Sindhu found the net and she used it this time with a perfect return on Sindhu’s backhand to seal the title. Earlier, China’s Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan won the gold in the women’s doubles beating Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota 21-18, 17-21, 21-15.
