PV Sindhu failed to overcome the final hurdle yet again, going down against Akane Yamaguchi in the women’s singles final of the World Superseries Finals on Sunday.
In the second game, Sindhu came out all guns blazing, zooming to a 5-to-love lead.
However, the Indian was called for a service fault and ended up giving another point to her rival, before a wide shot from the Japanese took her to 6-2. A couple of unforced errors by Sindhu allowed Yamaguchi to narrow the gap to 7-8, but the Japanese then set up the next point superbly, closing it with a body smash to draw parity at 8-8. Yamaguchi then opened up a 10-8 lead after winning another exhausting rally before entering the break with a two-point advantage. The Japanese consolidated on the lead to swell to 15-11.
Sindhu made her way into the finals after defeating China’s Chen Yufei 21-15, 21-18 in straight games. She will be aware of the threats her opponent possesses. The Japanese shuttler thrashed Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 17-21, 21-12, 21-19 in another semifinal.
The 22-year-old previously outplayed Yamaguchi comfortably by 21-9, 21-13 in straight games during the group stages. But will have to replicate the same performance in order to lift her first Dubai World Superseries title.
World No.3 Sindhu’s journey to the semis has been a cakewalk as the shuttler has dominated her opponents. However, she will aim to end the year on a good note. In 2017, the lanky Indian shuttler has won two Super Series events and a silver in the BWF World Championships.