Sindhu goes down to Zhang, fails to defend India Open title
Sindhu won the second game but Zhang fought back well in the decider
NEW DELHI: PV Sindhu failed to defend her India Open crown on Sunday as she went down 18-21, 21-11, 20-22 to American Beiwen Zhang in a closely fought contest at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.
Coming into the match, the Indian Olympic silver medallist led Zhang 3-1 in the head-to-head record. All their four earlier matches went into three games. Sindhu always played long matches against Zhang, all of them going to the decider, and it was no different as the duo battled till the last point.
The fifth-seeded Zhang was not at all intimidated by the home favourite and matched topseeded Sindhu shot for shot.
Despite trailing in the first game 10-13, Zhang came back well to take the first game 21-18. The American engaged Sindhu in long rallies and tested her stamina. However, Sindhu came back strong in the second game and clinched it 21-11 to take the match to the third game.
It was Sindhu’s fourth loss in a major final in the 2017-2018, which includes defeats at World Championship, Hong Kong Open and Dubai Super Series Final last year. Crestfallen after the defeat, Sindhu skipped the mandatory press conference. In fact, Saina Nehwal too had left media awaiting after losing the quarter-finals on Friday.the deciding game was the enthralling of all as it went into the tie-breaker. Zhang then sealed the deal at 22-20.
“I had nothing to lose and pressure was on Sindhu. I played a lot of smashes and an attacking game which I generally don’t. This is my first major title and I am really happy. I guess it is the best moment of my career,” said Zhang, who played without any coach for the last seven years.
YUQI MEN’S CHAMPION
All England Championships finalist and fourth seed Shi Yuqi of China walked away with the men’s crown after beating world no 7 and third seeded Taiwanese Chou Tien Chen 21-18 21-14 in a 47-minute duel.
“Last year I didn’t win any tournament, so glad to win this and hope this become first of many to come,” world no 8 Shi Yuqi said through an interpreter.
“I had played him before, so I analysed those matches and it helped me win today. There were lot of long rallies in this tournament and I will take a lot of positives from here. It will boost my confidence.”
Chou, who settled for runner-up here for the second successive time, said: “I tried to push him but it is difficult top play against him. He smashed well. He is young and was stronger today. He was more focused than me.”
Fifth seeded Danish combo of Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen prevailed 21-14 21-15 over Indonesian pair of Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti in a 37-minute match to claim the mixed doubles crown, their first title together.
Mathias and Christinna had combined at the Denmark Open for the first time and finished runners-up at China Open Superseries Premier and Hong Kong Open last year.
Third seeded Indonesian pair of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu defeated second seeded Thailand combo of Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai 21-18, 21-15 to clinch the women’s doubles title.
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