This time, Sindhu gets taste of gold
In re-run of Worlds final, 23-year-old Indian beats Okuhara to lift title
New Delhi, Sept. 17: P.V. Sindhu defeated Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in a closely-fought final to claim the women’s singles title at the Korea Open Super Series in Seoul on Sunday, exacting revenge of her recent World Championship loss.
The 22-year-old Indian overcame eighth seeded Okuhara 22-20, 11-21, 20-18 in an energy-sapping contest, which stretched for an hour and 23 minutes, similar to the World Championship final. She got richer by $6,00,000 after winning the tournament.
Sindhu had lost to Okuhara in the World Championship final in Glasgow last month in an epic battle. But she turned the tables on her opponent to become the first Indian to win the Korea Super Series.
The match promised to be another thriller as the duo battled in long and intense rallies at the SK Handball Stadium.
Sindhu displayed dogged determination to claim her third super series title.
The world no. 4 had clinched the 2016 China Super Series Premier and India Super Series and Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold this season, dashed Okuhara’s bid to win her third straight title after winning the Australian Open and the World Championship.
Sindhu led 2-0 early in the first game but Okuhara was quick to nullify the deficit. The Indian then moved to a 5-3 advantage with Okuhara committing unforced errors. The first glimpse of the epic World Championship final was visible when they were involved in a long rally at 65, Sindhu winning the point with a straight smash. But she surrendered the advantage when Okuhara reeled off four points, to grab a 9-7 lead. A smash at Okuhara’s backhand helped Sindhu make it 9-9 but the Japanese went into the break leading 11-9.
Sindhu intensified the pressure to win five of the next eight post-break points to lead 14-13.
The duo maintained their intensity in long-drawn rallies. Sindhu resorted to smashes as the scoreline read 17-17. But Okuhara fumbled to take the chances, allowing Sindhu to win the opening game.
Okuhara made a comeback in the second game, forcing Sindhu to commit unforced errors. The Olympic bronze medallist Japanese led 11-6 at the break and continued to extend her lead with Sindhu struggling with her strokes.
In the decider, Sindhu got her bearings right as she raced to an 11-5 lead.
The players exchanged fierce rallies. Okuhara displayed tremendous defensive skills and tight net play to reduce the deficit to 16-18. But Okuhara blinked first this time, her shot went landed in the net, giving Sindhu three match points at 20-17.
Okuhara saved a match point but then sent a return wide, much Sindhu’s delight. to
Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting claimed his first international title, beating countryman Jonathan Christie 21-13, 1921, 22-20 in the men’s singles final. — PTI