New Delhi: Women’s singles No. 3 seed P.V. Sindhu produced a remarkable display of aggressive, all-court badminton to beat No. 2 seed in a 3-set thriller in the India Open semi-finals that lasted one hour and 16 minutes at the Siri Fort Sports Complex on Saturday.
The 21-year-old Sindhu was playing at unusually fast court speed which eventually worn Sung Ji-Hyun down by winning the match 21-18, 14-21, 21-14.
“Sung was able to narrow the gap in the third set, but I told myself to be really focused and scored one point at a time,” said Sindhu.
The lanky Sindhu booked a rematch of the 2016 Olympic final on Sunday, where she will play against Spain’s Carolina Marin in the India Open final.
“I beat Marin in the Group B match at the Dubai World Superseries Finals last December, but she defeated me at PBL (Premier Badminton League). I hope this time will be different, because I am playing at Delhi and I have a lot of support,” said Sindhu about the final against Marin.
“Marin and I pretty much familiar with each other’s playing style. So whoever will play the best on that day will win,” added Sindhu.
Meanwhile, No. 1 seed in women’s singles Carolina Marin, completed a strong semi-final match to see off No. 4 seeds Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-16, 21-14 in 40 minutes.
There will be an all-Japanese women’s doubles final on Sunday where No. 3 seeds Naoko Fukuman/Kurumi Yonao will meet compatriots No. 7 seeds Shiho Tanaka/Koharu Yonemoto.
