Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu advanced to the final of the French Open after defeating Japan’s Hina Akechi 21-10, 20-22, 21-16 in a one-hour-and-13-minute semifinal at the Arena Grand Paris on Saturday.
Sindhu started strongly, comfortably taking the opening game 21-10. However, Akechi held the lead through the latter half of the second game, with Sindhu briefly moving ahead at 16 all and held it for the next two points, but the Japanese shuttler managed to level the game to force a decider.
The decider saw a close contest, with the scores level at multiple points. Sindhu dominated most of the game before Akechi fought back to level the scores at 14-all and take a 16-15 lead. But the Indian star remained error-free, winning six consecutive points to close out the decider 21-16 and seal her place in the final.
This marks Sindhu’s second BWF World Tour Super 750 final of the season, following her title-winning run at the Japan Open in July.
Sindhu will face World No. 1 and reigning world champion An Se Young in Sunday’s final. The match will be their 11th meeting on the circuit and their third encounter this year. A win would mark Sindhu’s first victory over the South Korean.
Looking ahead to the final against An Se Young, Sindhu said, “I have to give her a good fight, a tough fight. Every point matters. I know we’ve played a lot of times and she’s been doing really well. She’s been at her top form. But I think tomorrow is a different day. Every day is a new day. I just have to go out there and give my best. Rest just decides on that particular day. So yeah, I’m ready to give a fight.”
With inputs from PR
Picture Credit – BWF/Badminton Photo
