Badminton Singapore Open: PV Sindhu advances to the final

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu emerged victorious against Saena Kawakami 21-15 21-7 after a 32-minute long battle. PV Sindhu won two Super 300 trophies this year at the Swiss Open and Syed Modi International. Now, she stands just one victory away from her first Super 500 title of the year. 

Former world champion PV Sindhu dictated the match flow on the court as World No. 38 Saena Kawakami committed many errors and failed to take control of the shuttle. PV Sindhu made excellent use of her smashes at the beginning of the match despite being troubled by the drift in the hall. Despite the lack of accuracy, she went into the break with an 11-8 lead with the help of her powerful strokeplay.

Saena Kawakami found her footing after the break and levelled the score to make it difficult for PV Sindhu. However, PV Sindhu soon used her excellent baseline play to get an 18-14 lead. The 24-year-old Japanese lost her rhythm and committed two unforced errors, allowing the Indian shuttler to clinch the first game 21-15 with an explosive smash.

PV Sindhu carried on with her winning momentum in the second game and raced to a 5-0 lead as Saena Kawakami failed to gain control of the shuttle. She dragged her Japanese opponent into long rallies and waited for her to commit unforced errors to go into the break with an 11-4 lead. The low-ranked Japanese failed to counter Sindhu's backhand strikes and forehand returns as the Indian advanced to 19-6.

PV Sindhu fired a powerful smash from the baseline. The Japanese rushed to return but ended up sending the shuttle outside the court, allowing Sindhu to advance to the final of the Super 500 event.

PV Sindhu will lock horns with the reigning Asian Championship gold medallist Wang Zhi Yio of China for the Singapore Open crown on July 17. The Chinese shuttler advanced to the final after beating Ohori Aya of Japan 21-14, 21-14.