Kowloon: PV Sindhu’s gallant fight ended in agony as she suffered a second successive loss to World No.1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei at the summit clash of the USD 4,00,000 Hong Kong Super Series here Sunday.
Playing her fifth straight tournament, Sindhu, who had a 3-7 head-to-head record against Tai before the match, never lacked in fitness and fought throughout the match before going down 18-21, 18-21 to the defending champion in a 44-minute women’s singles final here. This was Sindhu’s fourth loss in the final of an event this season.
In the first game, which lasted 21 minutes, Sindhu trailed 0-3, 2-7, 7-10, 10-14, and 14-18. However, then she produced some shots of sheer brilliance to catch up with Tai at 18-all. Just when it seemed that the momentum had shifted in favour of the Indian, the strings of her racquet broke during a rally. Tai unleashed a smash which Sindhu could not return and the World No.1 had taken a crucial point.
Tai then made it 20-18 with another smash to Sindhu’s backhand, which the Indian could not return. She then won the game via a video referral, when the shuttle landed on the line. Sindhu had let the shuttle go thinking it was out.
Sindhu started well in the second game, dominating the rallies with some deceptive cross-court smashes. She went into the break leading 11-9.
However, Tai dominated proceedings after the interval. She reeled off three points in a row to make it 12-11. It was then the turn of the Chinese Taipei player to control the court as she quickly raced to a 18-12 lead with a couple of overhead smashes that had Sindhu lunging desperately.
Sindhu narrowed the gap down to 16-19, but by that time her back was against the wall. Sindhu hit long during the next rally and Tai had four match points at 20-16. Sindhu saved two before Tai sealed the issue with a perfect drop shot.
PV Sindhu lost to Tai Tzu Ying 18-21, 18-21
Press Trust of India
