Kritika Gaur Stay updated with the latest news and updates on PV Sindhu’s performance. Get all the details on Sindhu’s match against Carolina Marin and the victory of Treesa-Gayatri.
Six years, five meetings. For that duration, PV Sindhu has not triumphed against rival and three-time world champion Carolina Marin. The twice-olympic medallist nearly defeated the Spaniard on Thursday in the 17th chapter of their rivalry, leading 8-3 and then 15-10 in the final. Even though the tough world No. 3 narrowed the deficit, Sindhu was only two points away from an improbable victory at 19-17. However, in an hour and eight minutes, Carolina emerged victorious, taking victory from the jaws of defeat with scores of 13-21, 21-11, and 22-20.
“…it was just her day” Says Sindhu
The setback will be felt by Sindhu, who had the finest opportunity to defeat the Rio Olympics champion—who is renowned for having an unwavering determination to win. Sindhu used the better side of the court and played against the drift to pile up points and led 11–9 at the half after the first two games were shared. Third-seeded Carolina, though, didn’t give up. After the change of ends, she continued to play from the middle of her court and attacked Sindhu’s body.
The idea of taking on the world No. 3 seemed unsettling to the Indian, who took home the $850,000 Singapore Badminton Open two years prior. Carolina, for her part, was skilled at psychologically intimidating Sindhu because the Indian had no countermovements to Carolina’s onslaught at the net. When Carolina returned, she did so with purpose—a quality that was absent from Sindhu’s armour by the end.
Similar to how he lost the Malaysia Masters final to Wang Zhi Yi of China last Sunday, Sindhu, an Indian player, aged 28, was unable to capitalise on a five-point lead in the decider to send Carolina to the Super 750 tournament’s quarterfinals.
“It was a good game overall. At 20-all it was anybody’s game. The side I played from in the third game was a bit disadvantaged. I tried to get as many points as I could. It was just her day,” said Sindhu, who will play the Indonesia Open next week.”
What The Coach Says
Head coach Vimal Kumar of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA), where Sindhu practices in Bengaluru, has always emphasised that Sindhu must defeat the top 4-5 players, including Carolina, in order to return to the pinnacle of the sport.
“It is time to prepare for the next tournament. We are getting close to the Olympics. It is important I stay positive and be focused and learn from these matches,” added Sindhu, who lost to Carolina a 12th time, sixth successive, in 18 meetings.
Magic Of Treesa Jolly And P Gayatri
But in what was their first victory against the world No. 2 pairing in three meetings, Treesa Jolly and P Gayatri Gopichand pulled off one of the biggest upsets of their careers by defeating the defending All England and Asian champions Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee. In less than 60 minutes, the Indian team defeated the second-seeded South Korean team 21-9, 14-21, 21-15 to advance to the quarterfinals.
On Friday, the pair will play another South Korean couple, Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong, who are ranked No. 6 in the world and past All England champions. The three-time medallists at the World Championship have never lost to Gayatri or Treesa.
Badminton star PV Sindhu marries Venkata Datta Sai