PV Sindhu Defeats China's Wang Zhi Yi To Win Singapore Open

With this win, Sindhu claims her maiden Super 500 title of the 2022 season.

File photo of PV Sindhu

(Photo: PTI)

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has won the Singapore Open Super 500 after defeating China's Wang Zhi Yi on Sunday, 17 July.

This is Sindhu's maiden Super 500 title of the 2022 season.

In the hard-fought title clash, Sindhu managed to stay strong in the key moments to come up trumps 21-9 11-21 21-15 against the 22-year-old Wang, the reigning Asian Championships gold medallist.

This was Sindu's third title of the season – having won two Super 300 crowns, in Syed Modi International and Swiss Open – and an addition to her brimming cabinet which has a gold, two silver, and two bronze medals from the World Championships, besides two Olympic medals.

Three Games Win

The toss played a major role in the match with drift in the hall making life difficult for the shuttlers. Wang's decision to choose the side put her in an advantageous position as she played against the drift after the final change of ends.

However, Sindhu managed to limit the errors and keep her nerves to emerge victorious in the end.

After losing the first two points, Sindhu gathered 11 straight points on the trot to zoom into the mid-game interval at 11-2. The Indian maintained her firm grip on the match after resumption to quickly wrap up the opening game.

The second game, however, turned into a forgettable affair for Sindhu as Wang, now on the better side of the court, displayed her prowess.

The Chinese was soon up 11-3 after Sindhu repeatedly sent the shuttle long.

At 8-15, Sindhu failed to dispose off a weak return with her opponent on the floor. In the end, a jump smash helped Wang grab a massive 10 game points and she converted it in her second attempt to make a roaring comeback.

The Intense Title Decider

The match came alive in the decider as the duo played some long rallies.

While Wang seemed charged up initially, Sindhu was patient and after an initial duel of 5-5, played a superb smash and then finished a long rally with a delectable drop shot to leave her opponent on the floor.

The Indian grabbed a five-point advantage at the interval after producing another superb cross-court smash from a deep forehand corner.

Back to the better side after the final change in ends, Wang reduced the deficit to 11-12 with Sindhu committing errors.

The Indian, however, managed to establish a four-point advantage with a good follow-up shot. Wang played some superb drops and hold-and-disguise pushes to breathe down the Indian's neck.

Just two points away, Sindhu hit long before unleashing a smash to finish an intense rally and grab five match points.

Wang hit wide as Sindhu threw her arms to the air in celebration.

The title run will be a big boost for Sindhu, who will leading the Indian charge at the Commonwealth Games, starting July 28 in Birmingham.