Sindhu wins China Open final

(S.Ravi Seshu)

Rio Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu created history when she defeated Sun Yu of China in China Open Badminton Super Series finals 21-11, 17-21, 21-11 on Sunday.

It is the first super series title for Sindhu, who has a golden run in 2016. The Hyderabadi could put an end to speculations that she became lethargic with the fortune and fame that brought by the silver in Rio.

Charged by a superb win from the behind in the semi-finals a day before, Sindhu sealed the first game with ease 21-11 but the tough competitor Sun Yu changed the game plan to rein in the Indian at her aggressive best. Sun, who didn’t lose a single game till now in the tournament, took advantage of a couple of unforced errors of Sindhu and bagged the second game.

Both the players were tied at 6-6 in the decider giving anxious moments to the players and parents at Pullela Gopichand Academy back in Hyderabad. But Sindhu took her game to the next level when it mattered and took a four-point advantage to continue the tirade without any tension.

The 21-year-old Sindhu then did what a champion is expected to do: consolidation of lead with much more vigour. It worked well for the Indian. She replicated the first game score and clinched the title in style in the 69 minute battle.

Sindhu is the third non-Chinese woman to win the China Open title after Wong Mew Choo (Malaysia) in 2007 and Saina Nehwal (India) in 2014. Moreover, Indian women, Saina for two times and Sindhu now, created history by reaching the finals of the highly competitive China Open third time in a row.