Sindhu beats China’s Zhiyi to clinch Singapore Open title
World No 7 beats China’s Wang Zhi Yi 21-9, 11-21, 21-15 to win the Singapore Open
Indian ace shuttler and Olympic medallist PV Sindhu clinched the Singapore Open 2022 title after defeating China’s Wang Zhiyi in the final of the women’s singles category.
Playing on court 1, Sindhu won the summit clash by 21-9, 11- 21, 21- 15. She was off to a great start, winning the first game by a thumping margin. Zhiyi made a comeback in a similar fashion in the next game, winning it by 11-21. In the decider game, the top Indian shuttler maintained her composure to win it 21-15 and win the title.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sindhu after she clinched the Singapore Open 2022 title on Sunday.
“I congratulate @Pvsindhu1 on winning her first ever Singapore Open title. She has yet again demonstrated her exceptional sporting talent and achieved success. It is a proud moment for the country and will also give inspiration to upcoming players,” tweeted the Prime Minister.
Sindhu stated that coming to Singapore and winning the tournament after so long meant a lot to her.
“It was a good match. After winning the first set, I think I gave away a lot of points to her in the second game, so it was really difficult for me to catch up. In the third game, I think each and every point was important because after 11 she started coming close like 9-11, even though I was leading by 6- 11,” said Sindhu after winning.
“So, it was very crucial where I maintained the lead and maintained those two points. I am happier because coming to Singapore after so long and winning the title, really means a lot to me,” she added.
Sindhu advanced to the summit clash of the women’s singles category of the Open by defeating Japan’s Saena Kawakami in the semi-finals on Saturday.
SINGAPORE: Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu lifted the Singapore Open Super 500 trophy after outwitting China’s Wang Zhi Yi in an intense women’s singles final here on Sunday.
In a mistake-filled title clash, Sindhu managed to stay strong in the key moments to come up trumps against the 22-year-old Wang, the reigning Asian Championships gold medallist. The final scoreline read 21-9 11-21, 21-15 in the Indian’s favour.
The 27-year-old from Hyderabad came into the match with a 1- 0 lead over Wang, having beaten the Chinese player in their only meeting at the All England Championships this year.
Sindhu produced another fine display to grab her third world tour title of the season.
Toss played a major role in the match with drift in the hall making life difficult for the shuttlers. Wang’s decision to choose the side put her in an advantageous position as she played against the drift after the final change of ends.
However, Sindhu managed to limit the errors and keep her nerves to emerge victorious in the end.
After losing the first two points, Sindhu used her reach to get the shuttle early, played some superb angled returns, and produced one winner after another to stay ahead all the way in the opening game.
Playing against the drift allowed the Indian to go for her shots even as Wang hit wide and long.
Sindhu gathered 11 straight points on the trot to zoom into the mid-game interval at 11-2. The Indian maintained her firm grip on the match after resumption to quickly wrap up the opening game.
The second game, however, turned into a forgettable affair for Sindhu as Wang, now on the better side of the court, displayed her prowess.
The Chinese was soon up 11-3 after Sindhu repeatedly sent the shuttle long.
Sindhu tried to use the spinning net shot and use the gaps on the court to make a comeback but points were too few to come by as Wang continued to move ahead.
At 8-15, Sindhu failed to dispose off a weak return with her opponent on the floor.
In the end, a jump smash helped Wang grab a massive 10 game points and she converted it in her second attempt to make a roaring comeback.
The match came alive in the decider as the duo played some long rallies.
While Wang seemed charged up initially, Sindhu was patient and after an initial duel of 5-5, played a superb smash and then finished a long rally with a delectable drop shot to leave her opponent on the floor.
The Indian grabbed a fivepoint advantage at the interval after producing another superb cross-court smash from a deep forehand corner.
Back to the better side after the final change in ends, Wang reduced the deficit to 11-12 with Sindhu committing errors.
The Indian, however, managed to establish a four-point advantage with a good follow-up shot.
Wang played some superb drops and hold-and-disguise pushes to breathe down the Indian’s neck.
However, an alert Sindhu produced an attacking return on her rival’s forehand to move to 18-14 before Wang sent one to the net.
Just two points away, Sindhu hit long 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 in celebration. The title run will be a big boost for Sindhu, who will be leading India’s charge at the Commonwealth Games, starting July 28 in Birmingham.
This was her third title of the season — having won two Super 300 crowns in Syed Modi International and Swiss Open — and an addition to her brimming cabinet which has a gold, two silver, and as many bronze medals from the World Championships besides two Olympic medals.
A ‘relieved’ Sindhu hopes to continue her rich vein of form in the upcoming events, including the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“In the last couple of tournaments, there were hard-fought matches, and losing in the quarter-finals and semi-finals was a bit upsetting but each match mattered and finally I could get this,” Sindhu told reporters after the win.
“I am very happy because after a long time coming here to Singapore and winning this, means a lot to me.
“I have finally crossed that level, I have got the win now and I hope the same tempo continues for the rest of the tournaments and I do well in the upcoming event.”
Living out of a suitcase is the norm for international athletes and Sindhu admitted there is no time to celebrate as she shifts focus on the Commonwealth Games starting July 28.
“I just have a week after that again we leave for Commonwealth Games. Maybe I can take a day off, and spend time with my family,” she said.
“It has been a long tour for me, there was Indonesia, Malaysia for two weeks, and now Singapore. So it is time to go back home and just relax for a bit and then get back to training but definitely, I am going to enjoy this win, it means a lot.
Asked if the Singapore open title augurs well for the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, Sindhu said: “Yeah it is. I wanted to be more successful (laughs). Right now it is time to just go and relax and then focus on the Commonwealth Games and hope I get a medal in that.
“Followed by that we have the world championships and Japan Open, of course, hope for a medal in that too. I have to be physically and mentally fit. My strength and conditioning coach Srikanth is there with me, so it should be okay.”
Sindhu, who already has a silver and a bronze apart from the team gold from the Commonwealth Games, will be favourite to win the gold this time.
Talking about the Birmingham event, Sindhu said: “It is going to be a team event. We have to give 100 percent and be in 100 percent form. As a team, we need to work (towards it) and after that, there is an individual event.
“I hope I give my best, it is not going to be easy, there are some good players. So hoping for as many medals as we can.
“It was a good match. After winning the first game, I gave away continuous points from the beginning in the second, so it was really difficult to catch up. But in the third game, it was 9-11 and it was a crucial phase, where I had to maintain the lead,” she said.
Talking about her opponent, Sindhu said: “She played well. I am playing her for the second time. I was not hoping that it will be easy, I knew it will be a long match, long rallies.”