BWF World Tour Finals | PV Sindhu starts campaign with comprehensive win while Sameer Verma loses to Momota

However, it was not an easy victory for Sindhu who had to break a sweat to make a comeback from being 11-6 down at the break in the first game. The Hyderabadi suddenly picked up from that and reduced the gap to four points at 17-13. Yamaguchi’s tempo died soon and Sindhu, taking the benefit of the same, secured a 24-22 victory. 

The second game was also equally interesting in the beginning as the duo were involved in long rallies and went neck to neck. At the time of the break, the Japanese held on to the lead once again, albeit a one-point lead. The match saw a completely different Sindhu turning up after the break as she used her long stride to good effect to secure eight consecutive points to take the score to 18-11. Yamaguchi managed to save a match point but it wasn’t enough as Sindhu won the game 21-15 and the match as well.

The prospects of facing World Champion Kento Momota was always going to be difficult for Sameer Verma and the fear was telling from the very first rally. Momota raced to an 11-4 lead, but Verma staged a small fight back and held his own to save four game points but it was the Japanese who prevailed 21-18. The second game was an absolute carnage as Verma was able to secure only six points to his name and lost the battle.