PV Sindhu, facing a tough start in her first match of the season, was trailing 4-10 in Game 2 after a comfortable opening win. Having just returned to full training a week ago, her struggles were understandable. But as her opponent, Sung Shuo Yun, prepared to serve, a loud cheer from the stands rang out: “Come on Sindhu!” This encouragement from the crowd sparked a shift in the atmosphere and Sindhu’s performance.
After the mid-game interval, Sindhu found her rhythm, with Yun making several errors. The Indian star’s game picked up speed, and the crowd, a few hundred strong at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, began chanting in unison: “Bharat Maata Ki Jai,” “Sindhuuuuu, Sindhu!” and “Jeetega Bhai Jeetega, India Jeetega.” The positive energy helped Sindhu fight her way back to win 21-14, 22-20 in 51 minutes, kicking off her India Open campaign on a high note.
Sindhu expressed her gratitude for the fans’ support, especially during the tough moments. “I am very thankful to the fans, they were amazing,” she said. “They made me fight till the end.”
Course Correction with Irwansyah’s Guidance
With new coach Irwansyah in her corner, Sindhu made key adjustments mid-match to secure the victory. Although she looked comfortable in the first game, the rustiness was evident at the start of the second. Irwansyah advised her to be patient, avoid unnecessary errors, and focus on controlling the shuttle placement. “I was hitting the shuttles to her hand, so I needed to be more cautious,” Sindhu explained.
A pivotal moment came at 14-17 when Sindhu executed a perfect rally, sending a deep service return to Yun’s forehand, drawing her forward for a soft kill. The Indian star’s precise shotmaking was crucial in the high-paced second game, and despite facing a game point, she clinched victory in straight games, ensuring she saved energy for her next match.
Battling Through the Grind: Satwik-Chirag’s Tough Win
It wasn’t just Sindhu who faced challenges. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also had a tough outing, pushed to the limits by Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun. After a 76-minute battle, the Indian duo emerged victorious 23-21, 19-21, 21-16. They overcame a slow start and a late fightback from their opponents, with Chirag making a crucial defensive play while seated on the court to turn the tide.
Other Indian Victories and Setbacks
In other matches, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto made a strong comeback to defeat higher-ranked opponents from Chinese Taipei. Kiran George, a late entry in the draw, triumphed over world No 25 Yushi Tanaka in a thrilling 71-minute contest. However, there was disappointment for Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who lost 21-23, 19-21 to Japan’s Arisa Igarashi and Ayako Sakuramoto.
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