PV Sindhu Hailed by Abhinav Bindra And Others After Rio Olympics Silver Medal

It was a close affair in the badminton women's singles final at the Rio Olympics on Friday. Eventually, Spain's Carolina Marin triumphed 19-21, 21-12, 21-15 over India's PV Sindhu after 1 hour and 23 minutes on the court.

For PV Sindhu, it was a matter of what could have been. But a first-ever appearance in the final of a badminton event at the Olympics has seen the Hyderabad-born athlete being celebrated on social media by users from India.

Sindhu 'an inspiration', tweets Bindra

Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra tweeted that the silver medallist was an inspiration, while expressing his agony at a near-miss from what would have been India's only second individual Olympics gold medal.

"I think I'm more heartbroken today than I was a week ago !" Bindra tweeted, referring to his fourth-place finish in the men's 10m air rifle event a week back.

I think I'm more heartbroken today than I was a week ago ! Well played @Pvsindhu1 you are an inspiration to me !

- Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 19, 2016

Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar also took to Twitter to hail Sindhu's silver medal finish. "You have won our hearts with the splendid performance," he said.

Well played India's youngest individual @Olympics medal winner @Pvsindhu1. You have won our hearts with the splendid performance. #Rio2016

- sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 19, 2016

B-town stars too joined in the praise for PV Sindhu. Actor Hrithik Roshan said he was proud of Sindhu's feat, while South Indian star Rajinikanth said he had become a 'great fan' of hers.

I was on the edge of my seat. What a game & what an athlete. PV Sindhu! You have won our hearts. #proud pic.twitter.com/OuKkvbATrc

- Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) August 19, 2016

Hats off to you #PVSindhu .... I have become a great fan of yours ... Congratulations !

- Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) August 19, 2016

Sindhu's spirited fight against Marin

Sindhu had started slowly, and conceded an early lead to Marin in the first game of the final.

However, the Indian shuttler displayed great resilience to fight back and come back from a score of 16-19 to win the first game 21-19.

In the second game, Marin came back strongly and levelled proceedings after winning it by a scoreline of 21-12.

The Spanish star took the initiative early on in the third game as well, and despite a spirited fight from her opponent, managed to win it 21-15.