PV Sindhu reaches her 1st final of 2023 at Madrid Spain Masters

Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu ended her wait for a final appearance on the BWF tour as she booked her place in the title match of Madrid Spain Masters Super 300 tournament. Sindhu overcame a tough challenge in a sensational semi-final against Yeo Jia Min of Singapore on Saturday, April 1.

Sindhu needed 48 minutes for a straight-games win over Jia Min but the victory was not straightforward. Sindhu was facing as many as 5 game points as her opponent, ranked 33, was leading 20-15. Sindhu, however, forced a stunning comeback and saved another game point to take the opening game 24-22.

Bolstered by the escape in the opening game, Sindhu was leading 11-6 in the mid-game interval in the second game. Sindhu had 2 match points but it was saved by Jia Min who did not go down without a fight.

Sindhu wrapped up the match 24-22, 22-20 and let out a loud roar as she was tested thoroughly by her lower-ranked



opponent.

Sindhu, who slipped out of top 10 for the first time since 2016 last week in the BWF women's singles charts, will face Gregoria Mariska of Indonesia in the final. The 5th seed stunned local hope Carolina Marin in a three-game battle in the second semi-final on Saturday.

PV Sindhu had last reached a final on the tour when she reached the Singapore Open final in July. She won the Commonwealth Games Gold medal in August but the star shuttler was out with a left-foot stress fracture for more than 5 months. Sindhu's comeback to the tour had been far from impressive as the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist suffered early exits, including at India Open and All England Open Championships.

Sindhu had reached the second round of Swiss Open last month after three successive first-round exits. However, the star shuttler has been in better shape and form in Madrid, making it to the final of the tournament.