Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu lifted the Singapore Open Super 500 trophy after defeating China’s Wang Zhi Yi in an intense women’s singles final here on Sunday.
The onset of July and August has historically proven an indicator of the former World Champion’s peaking at the biggest tournaments – whether the Olympics or Worlds. And for someone like Sindhu who’s been in three World Championship finals and one at the Olympics, an easy Singapore Open Super 500 victory could only count as a good injection of confidence before the Commonwealth Games 2022.
In a mistake-filled title clash, Sindhu managed to stay strong throughout the key moments to come up to victory against the 22-year-old Wang, the reigning Asian Championships gold medalist. The final scoreline read 21-9 11-21 21-15 in India’s favor.
Toss played a major role in the badminton match with the drift in the hall making life difficult for the shuttlers. Wang’s decision to choose the side put her in an advantageous position as compared to PV Sindhu as she played against the drift after the final change of ends. The 27-year-old Hyderabadi shuttler came into the match with a 1-0 lead over Wang, having beaten the Chinese shuttler in their only meeting at the All England Championships this year. Sindhu was able to produce another fine performance to grab her third world tour title of the season. In January 2022 only, Sindhu was able to achieve the women’s singles title at the Syed Modi International tournament. At the Babu Banarasi Indoor Stadium, star shuttler Sindhu defeated Malvika Bansod 21-13, 21-16 in the summit clash that lasted for 35 minutes. Then later in March, India’s ace shuttler clinched the Swiss Open 2022 women’s singles crown at St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel. Battling it out at court 1, the double Olympic medallist and shuttler Indian Sindhu defeated Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand by 21-16, 21-8 in 49 minutes.
Playing against the drift allowed the Indian shuttler to go for her shots even as Wang hit wide and long. Sindhu gathered 11 straight points on the run to zoom into the mid-game interval at 11-2.The second game, however, turned into a forgettable affair for shuttler Sindhu as Wang, now on the better side of the court, and displayed her prowess. The match came alive again in the decider as the duo played some long rallies. Just two points away, Sindhu hit a long shot 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 to celebrate.
The title run will be a big boost for Sindhu, who will be leading India’s charge at the Commonwealth Games, starting on 28th in Birmingham this month only.
Singapore Open title ‘just the start’ and rollercoaster of emotions told Sindhu as the Indian shuttler fine-tunes her game for the World Championship.
“The whole tournament has been a good one. This is just the start and I am looking forward to relaxing a bit before turning my attention to the CWG,” explains Sindhu.
