CHENNAI: India’s medal hopes at the badminton World Championship were fulfilled once again by PV Sindhu. The two-time bronze medallist entered the semifinals in Glasgow on Friday. Assured of bronze, she needs a win to enter her maiden final in the event.
It was a fifth successive World Championship medal for India. Other than Sindhu in 2013 and 2014, Saina Nehwal (2015, silver) and Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa (2011, bronze) won the other medals. The World Championship is not held in Olympic years. Saina and Sindhu were on the podium there as well, in 2012 and 2016, respectively.
Sindhu, proving her dominance against China’s Sun Yu, displayed a splendid performance to complete the match in a mere 39 minutes. Though she was leading early from the first game, which she won 21-14, it was the second set where the fourth seed completely outplayed the fifth seed. She won it 21-9. This was the fourth encounter between the players, with Sindhu posting a third win.
HS Prannoy, who trains alongside Sindhu at Pullela Gopichand's academy in Hyderabad, says it was obvious that Sindhu was going to win, given her consistency throughout the year. “Sindhu has been in brilliant form. Her body is her strength, as she accelerates with natural power-hitting ability. Her confidence has increased with each win. She had a good draw against Sun Yu. But tomorrow will be a major hurdle, as she faces junior world champion Chen Yufei of China in the semifinals. Chen is one of the toughest players."
With Saina Nehwal also reaching the quarters, Prannoy feels she has had to work harder. Struggling with form after last year's Olympics, Saina won the Malaysian Open in January, a comeback tournament after her knee surgery. “She is a tricky player. She has improved since her comeback. I really hope she gives a tough fight.”
Can Sindhu go the distance? “You have Spain’s Carolina Marina, who is one of the world’s best players. She is swift, energetic and extremely talented. Beating her is no easy task. So I am keeping fingers crossed.”
Though India men are out of the competition, Prannoy was all praise for them proving their worth. “It was a really commendable performance from Srikanth, reaching the quarterfinals. He might have gone wrong with strategy, but gave a good fight in the second set, before losing 21-18. It was just an off day for him.”
When the squad for the World Championships was announced, it seemed India's wait for a maiden medal in the men's category is finally going to end. The focus was on Kidambi Srikanth and Sai Praneeth. The duo were in exceptional form and even created history by becoming the first Indians to enter the finals of a ranking event (Singapore Superseries) earlier this year. But on Friday, as Kidambi Srikanth went down 14-21, 18-21 to South Korea’s Son Wan Ho, it was all over for the men. After all the success in other tournaments, the one that India really craves for is still far away.
For Srikanth, this result ended a 12-match unbeaten run. They say third time is the charm. But unfortunately, it was Son Wan Ho who made the maximum of the situation. Having beaten the South Korean World No 1 in Jakarta and Sydney in Superseries events, this was the best opportunity for the 24-year-old to make a statement. But, Son had the last laugh on Friday.
The South Korean was spot on and looked like he did his homework after losses against Srikanth before dismantling India's top medal hope. "I had a very bad day from the start. I lost concentration and made many mistakes. Indian men have been in good form recently and it is sad that we couldn't capitalise. At least with Sindhu and Saina, India still has a chance," Srikanth told Express from Glasgow.
After Friday, the argument about Indians cracking on the big stage will once again make headlines. While it may seem a little unfair, that is the reality. After all the preparations and changes in training and technique, the X factor was missing on Friday as Srikanth crumbled. The Superseries wins built expectations and Srikanth was not able to deliver.
"I was not under pressure. Yes, I won against him on previous occasions. But I approached the game like any other. It was just not my day. That's how sports works. Even if you are in superb form, it comes down to the day you take to the field. Unfortunately, I did not have a good game," Srikanth added.
While losing at world events can be tough to digest, Srikanth is not worried. According to him, such games are an eye opener.
It helps one analyse what went wrong and rectify it next time. "I am not going to sit and cry about the loss. Sometimes, things don't work the way we want. So instead of cribbing, I am going to focus on the next event and try and be in my best shape."
srinidhi@newindianexpress.com
vimalsankar@newindianexpress.com