Thailand Open: Sindhu reaches semis

Bangkok: India's star shuttler and double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu reached the semi-finals of the Thailand Open 2022 women's singles on Friday, beating Japan's world champion Akane Yamaguchi. Former world champion Sindhu defeated the world no 1 Yamaguchi 21-15, 20-22, 21-13 in the BWF Super 500 quarterfinals at the Impact Arena, IANS reported.

In the first set, both matched each other till 14-all, but Sindhu took the next five points and clinched the set in the end.

In the second, Sindhu raced to 11-5 with the initial momentum she garnered from the first set win. But she lost footing, and her Japanese opponent sealed the set, just like the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia championships last month. Sindhu was defeated by Yamaguchi in a similar manner in that match too.

However, Sindhu had not fallen altogether, made a great comeback in the decider, winning the match. This victory had upped Sindhu's head-to-head victory over Yamaguchi to 14-9.

India's world no 7 Sindhu will play against world No 4 and Tokyo 2020 champion Chen Yu Fei of China in the semi-finals on Saturday. Sindhu is the only Indian shuttler now alive in the tournament. Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy had fallen in earlier rounds, and Kidambi Srikanth at the round of 16 stage.