Sindhu: I am very focused and hope for the best

"There is no pressure. It is a great moment for me. I have to play my 100 per cent," said Sindhu, quite ready to give her best in the final.

Sindhu... target is to win the gold.

It is the Olympic final and P. V. Sindhu assured that she was focused and prepared to give her 100 per cent on court. Not overtly happy about her execution in the semifinals, and underplaying the flurry of the last 11 points in a dream climax against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan, Sindhu maintained that every match was different, and every strategy evolved, based on the player across the net.

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“I hope I will play my best tomorrow as well. I am very focused and hope for the best. It is my first Olympics, and the target is to win the gold,” declared Sindhu with assurance.

“I don’t think that it was an easy match. We had long rallies and I managed to win the two crucial points from 19-19 in the first game. In the second game also, it was equal at 10-10 and I took a break at 11. I was tapping into the net, but my coach told me not to worry and keep going,” said Sindhu.

Happy to ensure India of a second medal, Sindhu praised Sakshi Malik for the bronze medal in women’s wrestling.

“I congratulated her. I had watched the match on television. She fought well. It was a great thing for us,” said Sindhu, happy that someone at last opened the medal tally for India.

“I have really worked hard. With one match to go, I hope to be at my best. I didn’t think this far at the start. The immediate target was to just look at the next match. If you keep winning, the medal will automatically be there,” said Sindhu, with a disarming smile.

Appreciating left-hander Carolina Marin for her fluent performance against Li Xeurui of China, Sindhu said that she would discuss the strategy with coach P. Gopichand, and attempt to execute it on court.

“Each player has a different style, and different strategy. It all depends on that day,” said Sindhu. “There is no pressure. It is a great moment for me. I have to play my 100 per cent,” said Sindhu, quite ready to give her best and reach another memorable moment.

Sindhu has already improved on her two bronze medals in World Championships, and will be gunning for the Olympic gold.