Clinical Saina proves too good for error-prone Sindhu
P. V. Sindhu lost the match in straight games, leading to Saina defending her Senior National Badminton Championship.
Published : Feb 16, 2019 16:44 IST
Saina Nehwal got the better of P. V. Sindhu in straight games, beating her 21-18 21-15.
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14-20 Sindhu's backhand is wide and match point for Saina.
13-19 Saina's forehand is inside the baseline.
13-18 A forehand winner from Saina, putting herself well in control of the match.
13-17 Sindhu's forehand is long, Saina shows good judgment to not play the shuttle that dropped beyond the baseline.
12-15 Saina forces a forehand error off Sindhu. After drawing her to the net with a backhand drop shot, she forces Sindhu to her back court and Sindhu cannot return Saina's forehand.
12-14 Saina's forehand is long and wide. Sindhu shows good judgment to not play the shuttle.
11-14 A forehand winner down the line from Saina.
11-13 Sindhu forces a backhand error off Saina with a ferocious forehand smash.
10-13 A forehand unforced error from Saina, who catches the net while she was in control of the point.
9-13 Sindhu's forehand smash drops in the side tramlines and Saina has a free point again.
9-11 Saina takes a two-point lead into the mid-game break in the second. A Sindhu backhand drops in the side tramlines.
8-10 Saina has a two-point lead. She plays a delicate drop shot to Sindhu's backhand. Sindhu can't get the shuttle over the net after going full stretch.
8-9 A big forehand from Sindhu to forced a backhand error off Saina.
7-9 Three points in a row for Saina, the latest courtesy a forehand unforced error from Sindhu, who catches the net.
7-7 An unforced error from Sindhu and Saina shows good judgment to play the shuttle that dropped wide.
7-6 Sindhu forces a backhand error off Saina with a ferocious forehand of her own. Saina gets her racquet to the shuttle but cannot get enough power on her return.
6-6 Saina catches the net with her forehand pick-up shot.
5-5 Saina wipes out the lead in dominant fashion. The latter with a ferocious forehand smash which Sindhu doesn't return.
5-3 Saina smashes her forehand into the net and Sindhu has a two-point cushion.
3-3 A long rally ends in Sindhu hitting a forehand cross-court winner after forcing Saina deep in her court. Saina was well in control of the point but couldn't put the stamp on it.
2-2 A backhand unforced error from Sindhu helps Saina draw level.
2-0 A couple of cheap points for Sindhu at the start of the second game.
Second game.
18-21 Saina takes the first game with a smash down the line.
18-20 A body smash from Sindhu goes unreturned.
17-20 Saina with a smash down the line to win herself match point.
Sindhu 17-18 Saina P. V. Sindhu has clawed her way back into the contest after being well behind the eight-ball. She was trailing Saina 11-15 at one point.