Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu set up a summit showdown with Carolina Marin after a hard-fought win over world number four South Korean Sung Ji Hyun in the semifinals of the India Open Super Series.
Playing at the Siri Fort Sports Complex in New Delhi, Sindhu dished out a superb performance to outwit the second seeded Hyun 21-18, 14-21, 21-14.
Waiting for her in the final now is world number 3 and two-time world champion Carolina Marin. The Spanish star defeated Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, seeded fourth, 21-16 21-14 in an easy contest at the other end of the draw.
Sindhu came into her semi-final match with a 6-4 head-to-head record against Sung Ji Hyun and displayed nerves of steel to win the marathon fixture.
The only Indian left in contention in her home tournament, Sindhu now plays Carolina Marin in today’s final. The two have locked horns nine times in the past with Marin leading the head-to-head 5-4. However, Sindhu finished on top in their previous encounter at the Dubai World Superseries Final in December 2016.
Past Encounters: Sindhu vs Marin
Marin on her part has been struggling with injuries this year with a lower back strain forcing her to pull out of the German Open final in March. Against Sindhu though, she said she will be set to increase her record, “It will be a good game for the spectators. I like playing here because the spectators love badminton and I hope I get the support like I received so far."
Asked what has she learnt watching Sindhu since their Olympic final, Marin laughed and said: "I can't tell you the strategy. Because then Sindhu will see it in news... so you will have to wait."
Sindhu had clinched her maiden Super Series Premier title at China Open last year before reaching the final at the Hong Kong Open.
This season, she guided the Chennai Smashers to a title victory in the Premier Badminton League (PBL). She started the new international season with a win at the Syed Modi International Grand Prix Gold tournament at Lucknow in January.
(With inputs from PTI)
Join The Quint on WhatsApp. Type “JOIN” and send to 9910181818
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)