Swiss Open 2021: PV Sindhu storms into the semi-finals
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PV Sindhu
Second-seeded Sindhu took on a fifth-seeded Thai Busanan Ongbumrungphan in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles category of the Swiss Open.
Sindhu started off the match by taking the first point. The Thai was keeping pace with the reigning world champion, smashing down the lines. PV Sindhu looked physically fit and was moving well. She quickly increased pace and attacked Busanan’s backhand defense to pick a lead of 8-5. She comfortably went into the mid-game interval with a four-point lead.
Smashes down Busanan’s backhand was what worked most for Sindhu. She exploited this weakness to maintain her lead with her sharp smashes and won the first game 21-16.
A nail-biting second game
It was a little rocky start for Sindhu at the change of ends as she found it slightly difficult to control shots, while the Thai went off to a 6-4 lead. But Sindhu looked confident, evident in the positive body language to fight back and the gestures of fist pumps and she went ahead to a 9-6 lead. Busanan also fought back, coming back level at 10-10 before giving away a point advantage with a misjudgment at the backline.
Sindhu upped her ante in her smashes, targeting her opponent’s backhand, and body. The Thai however was determined to not give away the match easily. At no point could Sindhu relax. She fought back into a lead of 16-15. Sindhu got her feet back into the game with constructed rallies, forcing errors from the fifth seed.
The Thai was nudging her way back into the game, going into a lead at 19-18. Sindhu then smartly played safe, went for a rally, forcing a mistake out of her opponent. with two consecutive points, it was a match point opportunity for Sindhu. With a lift going long from PV Sindhu, and another error at the net, the Thai had match point opportunities herself.
Going back to a patient rally, Sindhu saved a match point, making the score 21-21. Sindhu played tactically as she sealed the match in her favour 21-16,23-21 in 59 minutes.
Up next for Sindhu in the Swiss Open semi-final
It has been a great tournament so far for Sindhu after a disappointing tour at the Asian leg. She will now look to play strong in the semifinal tomorrow against Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark. In the first round of Yonex Thailand Open in January 2021, Sindhu had lost to her in three thrilling games. This is an opportunity for her to turn the tables and set up a spot in the final clash.
Also Read: Swiss Open 2021: Ashwini/Satwik bow down to fifth seeds in the quarterfinal
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Medha Kattige
(117 Articles Published)