PV Sindhu Reaches Macau Open Final With Hard-Fought Win

PV Sindhu reached the finals of the Macau Open with a hard fought 21-8,15-21, 21-16 win over Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in the semi-finals on Saturday in a match lasting just over an hour. (Latest Badminton News)

Sindhu, who was in good form heading into the match, dominated the first game as she sealed the first game 21-8 in just 14 minutes.

However, Yamaguchi fought back in the second set and she matched Sindhu for intensity. The Japanese badminton player, ranked number nine in the world, upped her game and maintained her composure at crucial moments. At 15-15, the game was evenly poised but Yamaguchi seized the initiative to win it 21-15.

Sindhu regained the initiative and raced away to a 11-5 lead in the deciding game. However, Yamaguchi refused to give up as she fought till the very end. She reduced the deficit to three points but Sindhu remained calm to clinch it 21-16.

The hard-fought win for Sindhu was sweet revenge over her opponent. In the 2013 Yonex Japan Open, Yamaguchi had knocked Sindhu out of the tournament with a 6-21,17-21 loss.