The Indian challenge came to an end as the World Championship PV Sindhu lost to Sayaka Takashi in the 2nd round of the Super 500 Indonesia Masters played at Jakarta on Thursday.
In the first game, both players started on even keel getting alternate points before PV Sindhu showed her domination. At the interval, the Indian led 11-7. After the interval, the Japanese player fought back strongly to reduce the gap before Sindhu created pressure on opponents with smashes and drop shots to win the first set at 21-16.
Sayaka Takashi had a brilliant start to the 2nd game taking a commanding 6-0 lead initially. The Japanese maintained pressure on the Indian and raced towards 11-4 lead at the interval. After the interval, Sindhu tried to comeback into match, but the Japanese held her nerves to win the 2nd set at 21-16 to force the match into the decider.
In the third and deciding game, it was even contested right from word go as both players fought for each point. The match went from one side to another and made an exciting encounter. At the interval, Takashi had a slender 11-10 lead. After the interval, the fight for each point continued till 17-17. Takashi took points in succession to be ahead in-game. Sindhu took one match point away but committed a mistake to lose the third set at 19-21.
With this loss, the Indian challenge in the Indonesia Masters came to an end. Saina Nehwal, HS Prannoy, Sai Praneeth, Kidambi Srikanth, the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj RankiReddy and Chirag Shetty all lost in the first round yesterday.
PV Sindhu was expected to win this match, but Takashi showed her fighting spirit and left the Indian badminton fans disappointed. Sindhu reached the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Masters last week.
Sindhu defeated Aya Ohori in the first round yesterday but could not replicate her form in today’s match against Sayaka Takashi. With the Tokyo Olympics coming up, the World Championship needs to improve on her stroke play in the upcoming tournaments.
