Indian Open 2017 Badminton Super Series: Sindhu, Marin set up title clash

Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu beat second seed Sung Ji Hyun in a three-game thriller to progress into the final of the India Open 2017 Super series event, here yesterday. Sindhu prevailed over her South Korean rival by beating her 21-18, 14-21, 21-14 in a titanic clash that went on well over the one hour mark at the Siri Fort auditorium in the capital. With this victory, Sindhu has set-up a blockbuster clash with top-seed Carolina Marin in the final of the competition. Marin thrashed Japanese star Akane Yamaguchi 21-16 21-14 in the other semi-final clash yesterday. Marin and Sindhu played out a thrilling final clash at the Rio Olympics 2016, which was eventually won by the Spaniard. However, Sindhu will look to avenge that loss infront of the home crowd and beat Marin to the super series title this time around. Coming into the match with a 6-4 head-to-head record, Sindhu displayed nerves of steel as she produced some scintillating low lifts and dominated the nets to see off her opponent. However, Sindhu started the first game very meekly and gave away an early 3-6 lead to the South Korean. But the Olympics silver medallist got hold of her game and levelled the score at 7-7 in no time. From there on, it was all about Sindhu as she race to a 15-11 lead in a matter of minutes. The second seed had no answers to Sindhu's booming smashes and cross court net shots. Sindhu won five back to back points and took home the first game 21-18. The second game more about Sung Ji who got into cruise control right from the word go. She opened a quick 4-2 lead and tried to capitalise on it with the help of her brilliant base line play. Sindhu made a strong comeback into the game as she cut the South Korean's lead to 6-5, however, few unforced errors from the world number five helped Sung Yi extend her lead to 14-8. Sung Yi held her nerves to take the second game 21-14 and force the match into the decider which Sindhu won 21-14.