Sindhu was docked a point by the umpire for using delaying tactics in the semifinals of the Badminton Asia Championships.
Digital Desk: PV Sindhu, an Indian badminton sensation, advanced to the semifinals of the Thailand Open on Friday, defeating World No. 1 Akane Yamaguchi. In 51 minutes, the sixth-seeded Indian defeated the second-seeded Japanese 21-15 20-22 21-13 to set up a match with Olympic winner Chen Yu Fei of China.
The last time the two met, the match was overshadowed by controversy. Sindhu was docked a point by the umpire for using delaying tactics in the semifinals of the Badminton Asia Championships.
Read here the Match Highlights:
Sindhu entered the match having a 13-9 head-to-head record against the reigning World Champion and delivered yet another strong effort to earn her 14th victory over her.
In the first set, nothing separated the two, with Sindhu relying on her cross-court slices and drops to trouble Yamaguchi, who wasted a three-point lead to allow the Indian to take an 11-9 lead.
Yamaguchi scored five match points, but Sindhu answered with seven straight points to take the lead at 19-14.
On the other hand, Sindhu sent the shuttle long before reaching five-game points and securing the victory when an off-balance Yamaguchi fired it back to the net.
Sindhu led 15-11 when Yamaguchi committed errors in her return to serve. The Indian soon unleashed her smashes, and another punch-clear gave her eight match points. She converted on the second attempt to take the decider 16-16, 16-15.
The 21-year-old won 10 of the last 11 points in the decider against her Japanese opponent.
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