“I hope there will be many more to come”, World No 10 said after her 22-20, 21-19 victory to become second Indian after Saina Nehwal to reach last four at Olympics. Earlier on Thursday, wrestler Sakshi Malik ended almost two weeks of frustration, disappointment and hurt at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games when she became the first woman wrestler from India to bag an Olympic medal, and only the fourth female athlete from the country to stand atop a podium at the pinnacle of world sport.
Advertisement
The Indian has secured her country its second badminton medal after Saina Nehwal took bronze in the same event at London. At the mid-game interval she had a five-point advantage leading 11-6. She won her first three matches comfortably in straight games before being stretched to three by compatriot Yamaguchi Akane in the quarterfinals. With both players keenly contesting each point, they were level at 10-10.
Wishing her the very best! In courtesy of her performances she also broke into the top 20 of the Badminton World Federation rankings which were released on 21 September, 2012. Sindhu has already promised to play her heart out for the Gold in the finals and no one has an iota of doubt about her resolve. Ramna said that with Sindhu’s historic win, the dream of Gopichand had come true. Sindhu then came out the victor at the end of a 46-stroke rally and though Wang caught up at 20-all, the Indian wrapped up the game on extra points when the Chinese put a forehand wide.
Sindhu once again opened up a 3-0 lead but the Japanese soon clawed back and grabbed a slender 5-3 lead with the Indian finding it hard to keep the shuttle inside the court. Sindhu made it 8-8 and then moved ahead to 9-8. A forecourt deception gave a point to Sindhu but she hit wide again. Two killer smashes fetched her match point and soon, she was sprawled on the court in celebration as Wang netted a forehand. At the crossover, Sindhu had a one-point lead at 11-10.
Sindhu came out all cylinders blazing after the change of sides and reeled off 11 straight points with the help of her array of strokes, which included some brilliant backhand flick and drops, to demolish the third seeded Japanese. However, it was Sindhu who held her nerves to clinch the game and match 21-19.
Earlier, Marin also entered her maiden Olympic final beating London Olympic champion Li Xuerui 21-14, 21-16. A defeat will send her to the bronze medal play-off.
Sindhu has now assured India of its second medal at the Rio Games. She has really brought out the best of her in Rio as she aims for the historic gold medal in the Rio Olympics. She has kept the tri-colour flying high in Rio.
Vijaya dedicated the victory to coach Gopichand and all Indians. No one should talk medals any more.
Sindhu does not have an impressive record against her semifinal rival. The Indian, however, rallied back and claimed four points in a row.
Advertisement
Her ability to weather long rallies and fiery smashes are a testament to the hours she has put in on working on her fitness. According to Gopi, although Sindhu’s been inconsistent, she has performed well in big events. Both the wrestlers matched each other in the first period and the scores were 2-2 at the break.
