Badminton News: Singapore Open - PV Sindhu advances to semifinal finals, Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy bow out

    Indian shuttler PV Sindhu won against Han Yue of China 17-21, 21-11, 21-19 in a quarterfinal clash at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on July 15 to advance to the Last four of the Super 500 tournament

    PV Sindhu advances to semifinal finals PV Sindhu advances to semifinal finals

    Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu bounced back from a set down to increase her win-loss record against Han Yue to 3-0. World No. 19 gave the Indian star a tough fight in the opening game. The Chinese shuttler got a comfortable lead and won the opening game 17-21 despite PV Sindhu narrowing the deficit by clinching four consecutive points. 

    PV Sindhu recovered from the shock of losing the opening game by winning the second game 21-11 after reeling off seven consecutive points to send the match into a decider. However, Han Yue broke the momentum of PV Sindhu to take the lead in the third game. PV Sindhu regained momentum and won seven consecutive points to push the score to 19-19. She then scored two points to secure a semifinal berth in Singapore.

    PV Sindhu will play against World No. 38 Saena Kawakami of Japan in the semifinals. The 24-year-old Japanese shuttler advanced to the semifinals after defeating sixth-seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand in the quarterfinals.

    Saina Nehwal knocked out by Aya Ohori

    Aya Ohori of Japan defeated Saina Nehwal 13-21, 21-15, 20-22 on July 15 to advance to the semifinals at the Singapore Open. The 32-year-old Indian shuttler has been struggling on the court because of her injuries.

    Aya Ohori took advantage of Saina Nehwal’s rusty got to clinch the opening game 13-21. However, Saina Nehwal roared back in the second game and won five consecutive points to go into the break with an 11-7 lead. After the break, she displayed excellent shotmaking and deadly drop shots to send the match into a decider. 

    Saina Nehwal carried on with her winning momentum in the third game and tried to drag Aya Ohori into long rallies. Her tactic worked as she went into the break with a 7-11 lead. However, the Japanese shuttler was not ready to give up and upped her game to narrow the deficit to 13-15. Sindhu pushed forth and got an 18-20 lead, but her Japanese opponent held her composure to level the score before securing her victory with two consecutive match points.

    In the men’s singles event, the hopes of HS Prannoy to win a title were crushed once again as he was ousted after a hard-fought 21- 12, 14-21, 18-21 quarterfinal loss against Kodai Naraoka of Japan. 

     

    Editor's Picks