PV Sindhu : I proved quite a few people wrong with the China Open win

World No 11 Sindhu beat China’s Sun Yu 21-11, 17-21, 21-11 in a thrilling final at the China Open on Sunday.

“It is a great feeling. This win is a gentle reminder to all that I am equally focused on my game after the Olympic silver medal. And, I hope this is just the beginning of a new chapter. I badly needed this win after Rio,” 21-year-old Sindhu told The Hindu.

“Yes, there were many who thought after winning the Olympic medal, many aspects of my game will go down. But, I proved quite a few of them wrong with this win, which is the result of lot of hard work even while I had to manage time for training and meeting the other engagements off the court.

“Many of my friends and fellow players were asking me when I was going to win this. Now, I have the answer. And to breach the ‘Chinese Wall’ in their own backyard is truly a memorable feat.”

In the semis, Sindhu rallied to beat Korean world No 7 Sung Ji-hyun 11-21, 23-21, 21- 19, saving three match points in the second game.

“After the thrilling semi-final win against Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun despite being three match-points down was decisive when I look back at the China Open. But again, I always felt if I put the shuttle back in the court, I always had the chance to win.”

Sindhu, only the second Indian to win the China Open after Saina Nehwal, dropped the second game in the final against the Chinese world No 9, but came back strongly to clinch the decider.

“Yes, things went wrong in the second game, but I could fight back in the decider. It was a reminder of my fitness and the ability to raise the bar under pressure.

“The China Open win is very important ahead of the Hong Kong Open. Right now I am not sure what I have to do to qualify for the year-ending Dubai BWF Super Series. But, I will take it one by one and not think too much.”