Singapore Open | PV Sindhu progresses to semis as Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth crash out
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PV Sindhu extended her marauding winning run into the semi-final of the Singapore Open as she beat China’s Cai Yanyan as Kidambi Srikanth and Saina Nehwal lost to Kento Momota and Nozomi Okuhara respectively. Sameer Verma also lost his match against World No. 2 Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen.
Kidambi Srikanth was against Momota and the odds were astronomically against the Indian. He lost the first game 18-21, and just when everyone thought this match would end the same way like the last nine matches, Srikanth pulled back the second game 21-19. But, it didn’t last for long as Momota won the deciding game 21-9.
Saina Nehwal opened the day with her big clash against Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara and in all honesty, the 29-year-old wasn’t the favourite approaching the match. She was always going to struggle against the World No. 2 and she did exactly as she went 21-8, 21-13 with her game characterized with numerous unforced errors.
PV Sindhu, on the other hand, almost made a mess of her easy fixture against China’s Cai Yanayan as after winning the first game very comfortably at 21-13, she was stunned in the second one that she lost 17-21. However, the World No.4 came back stronger in the decider winning it 21-14. She will be facing Okuhara next extending the number of legendary clashes that the duo has been involved in previously.
Like Saina, Sameer Verma also had a monumental task ahead of himself as he faced World No. 2 Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei. However, after facing a humiliating defeat in the first game 10-21, he did really well to win the second one 21-15. But forcing a decider wasn’t enough to rattle the Taiwanese as he won the third game 21-15.
In the doubles category, India’s only remaining mixed doubles duo Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy were humbled by Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai. 14-21, 16-21.Â
