2018 BWF World Tour: PV Sindhu beats world number one
PV Sindhu is currently playing in the 2018 BWF World Tour Finals and is at the top of group A after beating second and first ranked players, Akane Yamaguchi and Tai Tzu Ying, respectively. Her solid displays at the tournament have given hope to Indian badminton fans. The Rio Olympic silver medalist will want to win the trophy after coming second last year.
The Chinese city of Guangzhou is the venue of the tournament this year, which, till 2017, was known as the BWF Super Series. A total prize money of $1.5 million will be up for grabs for the winners. Women's world champion Carolina Marin, who recently defeated Sindhu in the BWF World Championships final had bowed out of the tournament due to injuries.
Though Tzu Ying started the match on a high note, she could not keep it up for the entirety of the three-setter fixture. Tzu Ying was effectively using drop shots which made matters difficult for the taller Sindhu, and the Indian lost the round 21-14. However, she revived her form and the next two rounds saw her bouncing back to win 14-21, 21-16, 21-18.
Sindhu said that Tzu Ying being a deceptive player who is capable of changing shots at the very last moment, it was important for her to stay focused and steady to keep the shuttle in the court. Sindhu continued that despite losing the final last term, she is ready to fight for glory this time. Up next, she'll face America's Zhang Beiwen tomorrow.
While Sindhu is leading her table in the women's division, Sameer Verma is second in his group in the men's division. The seventh-ranked Verma can manage to qualify to the knockout phase if he beats sixth-ranked Kantaphon Wangcharoen tomorrow. Though Verma lost his first match against second-ranked Kento Momota, he bounced back in his second encounter against third-ranked Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto.
