SINDHU LOSES FINAL TO MARIN IN STRAIGHT GAMES, SETTLES FOR SILVER
NEW DELHI: It was heartbreak for PV Sindhu once again as she lost another major final to settle for the silver medal at the World Championships in Nanjing on Sunday. Spaniard Carolina Marin was at her dominating best as she raced to 21-19, 21-10 victory over Sindhu in the women’s singles summit clash to win a record third world title.
The Olympic champion added the 2018 crown to her world titles in 2014 and 2015. Marin had won the Olympic gold by beating Sindhu at Rio 2016. But that was a tense three-game match. On Sunday, third-seeded Sindhu had no answers to Marin’s fastpaced game. It was Marin’s seventh win in 12 meetings against Sindhu.
However, this loss will hurt the world No.3 Indian, who has now finished second best in three major finals in as many years, which includes the loss at 2017 Worlds to Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara. The Hyderabadi is also without a title in 2018, going down in four finals, including the Commonwealth Games gold medal match to Saina Nehwal.
“It is very frustrating to lose again. Last time also I played the finals. It is quite sad and I’ve to come back stronger, get back to the sessions and prepare for the next tournament. Sometimes it is not your day, ups and downs will always be there and you have to always be stronger,” said Sindhu.
“Carolina has that speed and is very aggressive. She played very fast and was quick-paced during the tournament.”
The two shuttlers went toe-totoe at the start. Seventh seed Carolina was attacking while Sindhu was calm but resolute. The umpire too had a job on his hands, warning both the shuttlers as the Olympic champion tried to hurry into her serves but Sindhu went about slow, trying to kill the momentum.
The 23-year-old Sindhu slowly edged ahead at 14-9 and then at 15-11 before the Spaniard dragged her back to 16-all. That was it. The momentum had swung and the Olympic champion reduced her errors to clinch the game.
Carolina took the momentum into the second game which proved to be a one-sided affair with Marin easing into a 11-4 lead at the break. It was only a matter of time as Sindhu’s long shot went wide and Carolina dropped to her knees, screaming in elation.
“I can’t express my emotions. I have so many emotions inside me. I have been waiting for this moment a long time. I am happy I could believe in myself,” Marin said.
JAPANESE MOMOTA MAKES HISTORY
NANJING: Kento Momota became the first Japanese man to win the badminton World Championships on Sunday, putting behind him a gambling scandal that threatened to ruin his career.
The explosive 23-year-old convincingly defeated China’s highly promising Shi Yuqi 21-11, 21-13 in Nanjing.
Momota’s nascent career descended into controversy in 2016 when Japanese badminton chiefs suspended him for more than a year for visiting an illegal casino, denying him a place at the Rio Olympics. Momota, number two in the world at the time, has been working his way back to the top ever since and the world-ranked seven is currently in the form of his life.