Singapore Open: PV Sindhu advances to semifinals

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu defeated her Chinese rival Han Yue to book her semifinal berth in the Singapore Open Super 500 Tournament on Friday. The match lasted more than an hour.

The World No. 7 found the going tough early in the first game as Han was clinical with her placement and drew the first blood, but the Indian bounced back strongly to win the second and seal the issue 17-21 21-11 21-19 in a contest lasting 62 minutes.

Sindhu now leads 3-0 against the Chinese head-to-head.

This was Sindhu's first semifinal entry since the Thailand Open in May and it remains to be seen if she can make it in



their last event before the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Sindhu will next face unseeded Saena Kawakami, the Japanese world No. 38 who caused an upset by eliminating sixth-seeded Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand 21-17 21-19.

On the other hand, veteran Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy too are vying for a last-four berth in the tournament and will be in action later in the day.

The world No. 19 had it easy in the first game after racing to 11-9 in the interval as Sindhu struggled with her defense.

The Indian bounced back in the second and took a three-point lead in the mid-game interval.