Changzhou: PV Sindhu delivered a spirited performance to upset sixth seed Tomoka Miyazaki of Japan 21-15, 8-21, 21-17 and storm into the pre-quarterfinals of the China Open on Wednesday.
The two-time Olympic medallist started strong, opening up an early 6-2 lead in the first game with crisp movement and well-judged lifts.
She extended her advantage to 10-5 and then 16-9 before comfortably taking the opener 21-15, despite a late push from Miyazaki.
The second game, however, saw a shift in momentum. Miyazaki settled into a rhythm and pulled away after a tight start, heading into the break with an 11-7 lead and closing out the game 21-8 to force a decider.
Sindhu rebounded impressively in the third game, racing to a 5-1 lead and then stretching it to 11-2 at the final change of ends.
Despite some resistance from the far end, she maintained her composure to close out the match in 62 minutes.
“It was a much-awaited win for me, especially against a strong opponent,” Sindhu said after the match.
“The first round was crucial, and I’m happy to have crossed that hurdle. One side of the court was a bit tough, so I knew I had to take the early lead in the third game and hold on to it.”
Wednesday’s win marked Sindhu’s second meeting with the 18-year-old Miyazaki, who had defeated her at the Swiss Open last year.
The Indian star, who has had a tough season with five first-round exits and only one quarter-final finish at the India Open in January, hopes the win will reignite her campaign.
“She’s young, but she’s been doing really well,” Sindhu added. “I’ve had some close matches going to three games and still losing, so this win gives me confidence. I just need to keep this momentum going.”
In men’s doubles, the top Indian pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty cruised into the Round of 16 with a commanding 21-13, 21-9 victory over Japan’s Kenya Mitsuhashi and Hiroki Okamura.
Meanwhile, in women’s doubles, the Panda sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, bowed out of the tournament after a hard-fought battle against an experienced Hong Kong China duo.
