TIL Desk Sports/ P V Sindhu caused the biggest upset in the women’s singles of the badminton tournament at the Rio Games, shocking China’s world No 2 Wang Yihan 22-20, 21-19 to enter the semi-finals on Tuesday night. The 21-year-old Indian, a two-time World Championships bronze medallist, used her height to good advantage to subdue the Chinese in the quarter-finals in 55 minutes.
When Yihan opened up a commanding lead of 10-7 and extended it to 11-8 going into the break in the first game it appeared as if the London Olympics silver medallist would have it easy against the Indian medal hope. However, Sindhu staged a strong comeback, reducing the deficit to 11-12 and taking the lead for the first time at 15-14.
Yihan regained it at 17-15 before Sindhu effected two powerful smashes to draw level. But it was evident that the Chinese was feeling the pressure when she hit one back into the net to give a charged up Sindhu the lead. She made another error, offering no stroke only to see the shuttle fall right on the back line and also lost the instant review. That point put Sindhu firmly in the driver’s seat at 19-18.
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