Three months after her fantastic show at the Rio Olympics, 21-year-old P V Sindhu claimed the biggest title of her career with an amazing victory against Sun Yu of China in the final of the $700,000 China Open Super Series Premier in Fuzhou on Sunday. Ending her long wait for the super series title, Sindhu got one better when she clinched the Premier in commanding fashion, winning 21-11, 17-21, 21-11 against the world No. 9. In badminton, a super series premier is the highest crown after the Olympics/World Championships.
On Sunday at the Chinese Badminton Association hall, the Hyderabadi girl silenced the hostile crowd, who vociferously backed Sun, by dishing out a dazzling performance. The lanky lass has always troubled Chinese shuttlers, much more than Saina Nehwal. “I am extremely delighted today. I always wanted to win a super series title and even came close last year,” Sindhu said after the win. “Many a time, I felt bad about not being able to win a super series. Now I am relieved.“
Chief coach Pullela Gopichand, who still maintains that Sindhu is yet not a complete player, said he always believed a super series was around the corner. “Sindhu used to feel bad about not winning a super series but I know she could do it easily. She is only 21 and can win many more. The manner she handled different situations is quite impressive,” said Gopi, adding that he is happy Sindhu has started winning even when he is not accompanying her.
The Chinese may have denied a visa to the Indian badminton manager, who is from Arunachal, but failed to stop the rampaging Sindhu. On her way to the title, Sindhu defeated two exciting Chinese youngsters, one of whom is being compared to the great Lin Dan. This is the third China Open title for India. In 2014, Kidambi Srikanth and Saina Nehwal won the singles titles.
Denmark's Jan O Jorgensen became the first European men's singles shuttler to win the China Open when he shocked Olympic and World champion Chen Long of China 22-20, 21-13.
Sindhu looked in great shape and razor sharp on the court. Despite playing an energy-sapping semifinal on Saturday, Sindhu looked quite fresh on Sunday even as her rival showed signs of fatigue. The long wait is over for Sindhu. The only Indian shuttler to win an Olympic silver and two World Championships bronze medals has added the Super Series Premier crown with the China Open triumph. Despite achieving so much in such a short span of time, Sindhu is not satisfied yet and she wants to win more titles.
