Malaysia Open: Sindhu loses to Wang in semifinals

Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu’s impressive run came to an end after a straight-game defeat to China’s Wang Zhiyi in the women’s singles semifinals of the season-opening Malaysia Open Super 1000 here on Saturday. The two-time Olympic medallist could not sustain the pressure against the world number two, committing too many unforced errors in a 16-21, 15-21 loss, which brought down curtains on India’s campaign in the tournament.

Playing her first tournament after recovering from a foot injury that kept her on the sidelines since October last year, Sindhu also let slip an 11-6 lead in the second game. “I think 11-6, I took a break, maybe I should have taken 2-3 points there, but I think even though I was leading, there were a couple of small errors. In a match these things happen where you’re leading, you can’t expect that you’re going to win it easily,” said the

30-year-old, who will next play at the India Open Super 750 tourna ment next week in Delhi. “I think it was a good tournament for me and I think it’s important for me to rest now and get going for the Indian Open,” she said. “I think it’s important that I do my best and it’s not going to be easy, I think first round I’ll be playing against the Vietnam girl, so yeah, I hope I do well.” Sindhu took the fight to her higher-ranked opponent early, hitting hard and using her reach effectively.

She produced her trademark cross-court smashes to race to a 5-2 lead before Wang’s subtle touch helped her draw level with a run of points. A few misses from Wang allowed Sindhu to edge ahead 9-7 but the Chinese player clawed back once again to take a slender one-point lead at the interval as Sindhu faltered at the net. Both players struggled for length after the restart with the scores locked at 13-13 and several points squandered at the backline.

From 15-14, Wang upped the pressure with relentless attacking shots that cramped Sindhu, mixing them with well-judged lifts that floated just beyond reach. She surged to 18-14, conceded one point in a fierce rally, then earned four game points and closed out the opener as Sindhu went wide. The second game saw Sindhu slip to 1-3 after two unforced errors but she regrouped quickly, constructing rallies with authority to move ahead 6-3.

Wang steadied herself to narrow the gap, yet Sindhu dominated the mid-phase by pushing her opponent to the corners with sharp angles, opening up an 11-6 lead at the break. Wang came out firing after the resumption, engaging in brisk rallies but Sindhu countered with near-perfect net shots to stay ahead at 13-9. Once again, Wang fought back as Sindhu sprayed shots wide and into the net, drawing level at 13-13 before seizing the initiative. A deft net exchange gave the Chinese player a 16-13 cushion. Sindhu then missed the backline twice and a backhand net error handed Wang five match points.

The contest ended when Sindhu pushed another shot wide, sealing Wang’s place in the final. Despite the loss, it was a creditable performance from Sindhu. “I think it was good that starting the season with a really good performance, I think that it gives me a lot of confidence and motivation as well, especially after coming back from an injury and I think it’s important that I keep going the same way and get this confidence going,” she signed off.