Onus on Sindhu to take attack to opponents
Indian would be eager to better silver show
NEW DELHI: With the 2012 London Olympics three weeks away, Saina Nehwal was going through an intense preparation under the watchful gaze of Pullela Gopichand at his Hyderabad academy. Gopichand however was also keeping tab on what was happening at the Badminton Asia under-19 Championships.
A certain PV Sindhu had reached the final and was pitted against Japanese Nozomi Okuhara. Sindhu beat the talented Okuhara 18-21, 21-17, 22-20. “These two players belong to the next generation, mark my word,” Gopichand had said.
It was indeed the start of a rivalry that rose to iconic heights at the World Championships final last year where Sindhu and Okuhara were engaged in a gladiatorial battle for close to two hours. Sindhu lost that final but defeated the Japanese next week in Korea to win the title.
A year into that epic contest, Okuhara is ready to defend her title and Sindhu eager to better the colour of her medal when the World Championships begin in Nanjing, China on Monday. It is a stage Sindhu is familiar with. Even before her first Superseries title, Sindhu had two medals (bronze) from the World Championships (2013, 2014). Saina got her first medal at the Worlds only a year later when she lost to Carolina Marin in 2015.
The women’s circuit may not be dominated by the Chinese anymore but the competition at the top is still tough. The likes of Sindhu, Okuhara, Akane
› I know sometimes I have been losing in the finals. You learn a lot from the mistakes. You play well but sometimes you can’t get through it. On lessons from the past
Yamaguchi, Tai Tzu Ying, who is the top seed, Sung Ji Hyun, are all capable of claiming the title.
There are no clear favourites but Tai Tzu Ying, the deceptive stroke-maker, has been a cut above the rest and six titles charts her phenomenal phase this year.
With her sharp smashes and an ability to hit the lines, Sindhu needs to play to her strengths and not get drawn into long rallies which she has frequently engaged, in the past, with the two wily Japanese –Okuhara and Yamaguchi. “She needs to play her attacking shots judiciously and vary the pace intelligently,” says national selector Vimal Kumar.
Against the Chinese, Sindhu was more comfortable playing her natural game. The reputation of opponents never intimidated her. But in the last one year, title victories have dried out for her. The losses to Okuhara in Thailand Open, Yamaguchi in All England semifinals and Superseries Finals must hurt. She needs to break the Japanese code when it comes to the all-important battles. Before that Sindhu will face her first big hurdle in Sung Ji Hyun, another crafty player in the defensive mould. If she is able to conquer her, Okuhara will be waiting at the other end, once again.
› I have prepared well. It is going to be a tough draw at the world championships, so I can’t take any opponent easy. On her preparations