2020 Tokyo Olympics: Tai Tzu-ying beats PV Sindhu in semi-final
What's the story
Chinese Taipei's ace shuttler Tai Tzu-ying beat India's PV Sindhu in the badminton women's singles semi-final clash on Saturday at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It was a crunch contest as both players kept the intensity high. Tzu-ying pocketed the first game 21-18. She was the better player in the second game (21-12). Sindhu will have to fight for the bronze medal next. Here's more.
Stat attack
Decoding the key stats between the two players
The 26-year old Sindhu now has a 6-13 head-to-head record against the 27-year old Tzu-ying. Notably, Sindhu has now lost four successive matches against the Chinese Taipei shuttler. The Indian last won against Tzu-ying at the 2019 World Championships final. Sindhu had also beaten Tzu-ying at the Rio 2016 Olympics in straight games 21-13, 21-15.
Semis
Tzu-ying to face China's Chen Yufei for the gold medal
The first semi-final match in women's singles badminton between China's Chen Yufei and He Bingjiao went to a decider. Top seed Chen won the first game 21-16 before He pocketed the second 21-13. The deciding game went to Chen (21-12), who earned a brilliant run of 6 straight points in the early stages. Chen appeared to be more pumped up and aggressive.
Tzu-ying
Tzu-ying's journey at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Tzu-ying started her Tokyo Olympics journey by beating Switzerland's Sabrina Jaquet 21-7, 21-13. In the next match, she overcame Nguyen Thuy Linh of Vietnam 21-16, 21-11. In her third encounter, Tzu-ying Qi Xuefei of France 21-10, 21-13. In the quarter-final clash against Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon, Tzu-ying prevailed after going down. She won 14-21, 21-18, 21-18. And now, she overcame Sindhu.
Sindhu
Sindhu's journey at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Sindhu dominated against Israel's Ksenia Polikarpova in her opening round clash, winning 21-7, 21-10 in straight games. She beat Hong Kong's Cheung Ngan Yi 21-9, 21-16 to stay strong. In the next match, Sindhu overcame Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt 21-15, 21-13. In the quarter-final clash against Japan's star player Akane Yamaguchi, the Indian badminton ace prevailed, winning 21-13, 22-20. She suffered a defeat today.
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Sindhu to face He Bingjiao in bronze medal match
Sindhu is still alive at the Tokyo Olympics and will need to beat China's He Bingjiao in the bronze medal match. A win will help India get their third medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, it will be a second Olympic medal for Sindhu.