PV Sindhu dominated Japanese shuttler Saena Kawakami in the Singapore Open Super 500, winning 21-15, 21-7 in just over half an hour.
On Friday, PV Sindhu defeated China’s Han Yue in a thrilling semifinal match to reach the semifinals, while compatriots Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy suffered heartbreaking losses in their respective quarterfinal matches.
In the quarterfinals, which lasted one hour and two minutes, Sindhu defeated Han Yue 17-21, 21-11, 21-19. In her final eight match, Pornpawee Chochuwong was upset by Japanese shuttler Saena Kawakami, who advanced to the semifinals.
Indian shuttler took the lead after four back-to-back points after a slow start and trailing 14-11 to Chinese opponent. With her deft touches, Han Yue continued to trouble Sindhu and won the first game.
Sindhu went on the attack in the second game, but Han Yue stayed close to her. However, with the score at 14-11, the two-time Olympic medalist stepped up and took the next seven points to force a decider.
The Indian ace was put on the back foot in the third game by Han Yue, who raced to a 14-9 lead. Nonetheless, the Indian ace dug deep and turned the tables with a flurry of seven points to win the match.
However, Saina failed to join Sindhu in the semi-finals after losing to Japan’s Aya Ohori 13-21, 21-15, 20-21.
As a result, Saina lost out on the BWF Super 500 tournament after conceding a 19-16 lead in the decider.
It took HS Prannoy just over an hour and a half to lose 12-21, 21-14, 21-18 to Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in men’s singles.