Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu secured a crucial victory against World No. 6 Tomoka Miyazaki at the China Open, describing it as a much-needed morale booster after a challenging season.
A Much-Needed Win for Sindhu
PV Sindhu, currently ranked 15th in the world, clinched a thrilling three-game battle against Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki. The scoreline read 21-15, 8-21, 21-17 in a fiercely contested match at the China Open Super 1000 event.
After dropping the second game, Sindhu showed great resilience. She managed to establish a significant lead in the deciding game, utilizing the advantageous side of the court to eventually seal her win.
Sindhu Reflects on the Battle
Speaking after her triumph, Sindhu expressed her relief, calling it “a much-awaited win.” She highlighted the strategic importance of taking an early lead in the third game, acknowledging the court conditions that favoured one side.
“In the third set, it was important for me to take the lead from the beginning,” Sindhu explained. She emphasized the need to maintain that lead, as the momentum could shift at any moment.
Praise for Her Young Opponent
Sindhu also acknowledged the talent of her teenage opponent, Tomoka Miyazaki, who has rapidly climbed the ranks. “She’s doing well and she’s been doing well for quite some time now,” Sindhu said, recognizing Miyazaki’s strong performance.
For Sindhu, beating such an in-form player was particularly significant. She noted that many of her recent matches had gone to three games, often ending in close losses. This win provides a vital confidence boost to reverse that trend.
Key to Her Performance
When asked what pleased her most about her performance, Sindhu pointed to her positive mindset and strategic play. She maintained her composure throughout the match, focusing on keeping the shuttle in play.
“I was positive from the beginning,” Sindhu stated. She was satisfied with her patience and her ability to make fewer errors, which ultimately proved decisive in securing the victory.
Other Indian Shuttlers Shine
In other matches, India’s top Men’s Doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, also advanced to the Round-of-16. The World No. 12 duo delivered a dominant performance, defeating Japan’s Kenya Mitsuhashi and Hiroki Okamura 21-13, 21-9.
However, it wasn’t a clean sweep for India. In Women’s Doubles, the sibling pair of Rutaparna and Swetaparna Panda faced a defeat. They lost to the Yeung sisters from Hong Kong China with scores of 12-21, 13-21 in a 31-minute encounter.
- PV Sindhu secured a vital win against World No. 6 Tomoka Miyazaki at the China Open.
- The victory is a significant morale booster for Sindhu after a challenging season.
- Sindhu highlighted the importance of taking an early lead and maintaining patience.
- India’s Men’s Doubles pair, Satwik-Chirag, also advanced impressively.
This win marks an important turning point for Sindhu, providing the confidence and momentum she needs to continue her campaign at the China Open and beyond.
