Sindhu beats Okuhara, first Indian to clinch Tour Finals
Wins first title in eight final appearances since her Korean Open victory in September 2017
GUANGZHOU:A relieved P V Sindhu let out a joyous scream when she finally laid her hands on a gold medal by claiming the World Tour Finals with a win over 2017 world champion Nozomi Okuhara here on Sunday. With the victory, coming after seven straight losses in finals, Sindhu became the first Indian to claim the year-end event.
Sindhu, who had lost in the summit clash to another Japanese, Akane Yamaguchi, to settle for a silver in the last edition, prevailed 21-19, 21-17 in a match that lasted an hour and two minutes. This was her 14th career title but the year’s first. Prior to this in 2018, she won silver at the World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Thailand Open and India Open.
Dubbed a bridesmaid after repeatedly falling short, Sindhu finally broke the jinx, screamed and sunk to her knees.
Saina Nehwal had reached the finals of 2011 World Super Series Finals, while Jwala Gutta and V Diju finished runners up at the 2009 edition.
COMPOSED SHOW
Sindhu held her nerves at crucial moments to stay a step ahead of the Japanese through the match. In the first game, Okuhara made a couple of errors and Sindhu took early the lead. She used drop shots and looked good at the net to lead 7-3 but Okuhara narrowed the deficit to 5-7.
Sindhu nosed ahead 11-6 at the mid-game break and extended her lead to 14-6 before Okuhara reeled off four points. Okuhara seemed to control the proceedings and clawed back at 16-16. But then she smashed wide twice to hand Sindhu a 19-17 advantage. Sindhu sealed the opening game with a superb drop shot. Sindhu engaged in long rallies with Okuhara and managed to stay 6-4 ahead at one stage of the second game. The Japanese stretched and controlled the rallies and waited for the Indian to hit out. It worked as she forced her way back at 7-7.
Sindhu, however, managed to always stay ahead and led 11-9 at the interval after Okuhara lost a referral.
Okuhara tried to push the shuttle back of the court from the baseline and unleashed a body smash to make it 12-13. She kept snapping at her rival’s heels to make it 16-17.
A return to the net gave Sindhu a 18-16 lead. A long rally ensued and it ended with Okuhara leaving it short and Sindhu unleashing a smash to move to 19-16. A net dribble took the Indian one step away from the title. Sindhu grabbed three match points and converted the first to seal the issue.