New Delhi: Indian shuttler put up a spirited fight before losing to world No. 1 An Se Young of South Korea in three games at the in Paris on Sunday, October 25. Sindhu lost 21-16, 11-21, 12-21 to the Olympic champion, who won her fourth French Open title and 11th crown of the season.
The two-time Olympic medallist got off to a strong start, using her reach and attacking play to win the opening game in 20 minutes. It marked only the second time that Sindhu had managed to win a game against the Korean in their 11 career meetings, though the Indian is still searching for her first win over the South Korean.
Sindhu falls short in final despite winning opening game
The opening game featured intense rallies and several net exchanges, with the scores tied at 4-4 and 7-7. Sindhu then took a two-point lead at the interval before using her reach and capitalising on An’s errors near the backline to extend her advantage to 15-11.
Sindhu made a couple of errors which helped An to reduce the deficit to 13-15. The Indian again took control as the Korean misjudged a shot near the sideline before sending another wide, helping Sindhu race to a 19-14 lead.
The Indian earned six game points with a cleverly disguised slice. Her opponent saved two before she sent one long again, allowing Sindhu to seal the opening game in 20 minutes. It was just the second time she had won a game from the Korean.
After the change of sides, An moved to a 3-0 lead. Sindhu briefly stayed close with a cross-court smash and a body smash, but the Korean’s net play and powerful smashes gave her a four-point advantage at the break.
An continued to dominate the game and capitalised on Sindhu’s errors, taking a 17-8 lead. An earned 12 game points, with the Indian managing to save three before An converted to level the match.
Both players delivered thrilling rallies in the final game, with Sindhu battling An’s precision and the tricky side drift. A 36-shot rally ended with the Indian hitting wide, but she kept fighting hard and established a three-point lead at 8-5.
The Korean then equalised the score at 8-8 with a smash and moved ahead. A body smash and another shot away from Sindhu’s backhand gave An a two-point lead at the break.
An carried the momentum to take a 13-9 lead. With the Indian going long, it soon became 14-9. An’s play only improved as she extended her lead to 18-10. Another long shot gave her eight match points, and she clinched the title at the first opportunity.