Day 3: On Sunday, reigning world champion P V Sindhu won an easy straight-game victory over Israel’s Ksenia Polikarpova in the women’s singles group J match.
In a lopsided opening encounter, the 26-year-old Indian defeated the 58th-ranked Polikarpova 21-7 21-10.
In the group stage, the world number seven Indian will face Hong Kong’s world number 34 Cheung Ngan Yi.
Sindhu, a silver medalist at the Rio Olympics, got out to a fast start but fell down 3-4. However, she took advantage of Polikarpova’s unforced errors to take an 11-5 lead into the break.
Sindhu was soon on a run, scoring 13 points in a row. The Indian employed her trademark straight and cross court smashes and drops to trouble the Israeli, who failed to take advantage of the few openings she had.
When Polikarpova missed a shot, Sindhu sealed the opening game in her favour.
Polikarpova, who was playing with a strapped knee, continued to struggle with her strokes as Sindhu took a 9-3 lead in the second game and subsequently led by seven points at the mid-interval.
After the break, it was back to business, with Sindhu capitalising on her opponent’s mistakes.
Sindhu was awarded 13 match points after another wayward shot from Polikarpova. Three of the Indian’s chances were squandered.
Sindhu was awarded 13 match points after another wayward shot from Polikarpova. Polikarpova sent the shuttle out for the final time to end the match after the Indian squandered three of them.
Tokyo Olympics 2020 related update:
Sania and Ankita have lost the women’s doubles match against the Kichenok sisters who fought back really well after losing the first set 6-0. After the Sindhu win, the Sania-Ankita loss would not impress fans as they were expecting the India duo to progress. FINAL SCORE: 0-6, 7-6, 10-8.
Sailing: Individual laser radial about to start where Nethra Kumanan, India’s first woman sailor to qualify for the Olympics, will be in action.
(With agencies inputs)
