Thailand Open: PV Sindhu beats Akane Yamaguchi in quarter-finals
India's ace shuttler PV Sindhu beat world number one, Akane Yamaguchi, in the quarter-finals of the 2022 Thailand Open in Bangkok on Friday. The two-time Olympic medalist won the contest 21-15, 20-22, 21-13. Earlier, she breezed past Korea's Sim Yu Jin in straight games 21-16 and 21-13 in the round of 16. Prior to that, she overcame American Lauren Lam 21-19, 19-21, 21-18.
A look at the head-to-head record between Sindhu and Yamaguchi
Sindhu has a 15-9 win-loss record against Yamaguchi in the match-ups to date. Recently, she he had lost to the Japanese in the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Championships (21-13, 19-21, 16-21).
Sindhu's performance in 2022
Back in January, Sindhu finished third at the Sunrise India Open. She won the Syed Modi India International in Lucknow. She exited in the round of 16 of the Yonex Gainward German Open and Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships. She won the Yonex Swiss Open and lost in the semis of the Korea Open. She won bronze at the Badminton Asia Championships.
Tai Tzu-ying beats He Bingjiao; win for Chen Yufei
Top seed Tai Tzu-ying is through to the semis in the women's singles event. She prevailed in a tough contest against China's He Bingjiao, winning 21-10, 14-21, 21-18. Meanwhile, third seed Chen Yufei overcame Canada's Michelle Li 21-14, 20-22, 21-17. Chen will face Sindhu next. Tzu-ying will meet Ratchanok Intanon in the last four. The Thai beat Denmark's Line Christophersen comfortably, 21-8, 21-8.
How did the first two games pan out?
Sindhu picked up steam after starting on a nervous note. She won five points in a row before taking a 11-9 lead to the interval. Yamaguchi took a 14-12 lead, offering a fight. However. Sindhu once again gained momentum to win seven straight points. Yamaguchi launched a fightback in the second game as Sindhu's aggression dropped a bit, sealing the show 22-20.
Sindhu prevails in the deciding game
The decider was close as Yamaguchi led 7-6. However, Sindhu went on the offensive and won five straight points to take a lead to the interval. Yamaguchi dug deep and closed the gap to 11-13. Thereafter, Sindhu won eight out of the last 10 points.
