By Tapan Mohanta

Rio de Janeiro: Two-time World Championship bronze medallistcstood just a win away from assuring India an elusive medal after she stunned London Games silver medallist Wang Yihan of China to enter the women’s singles semifinals at the Rio Olympics here today.

The 21-year-old Indian, who came into the match with a 2-4 head-to-head record, dished out a compact game to outmanoeuvre the more experienced Wang 22-20 21-19 in a gruelling battle lasting 54 minutes.

With the memorable win, Sindhu became the second Indian badminton player to reach an Olympic semifinal after Saina Nehwal achieved the feat four years ago.

It was a battle of nerves as the duo engaged in fast-paced rallies with each trying to close out the points.

Some fierce stroke play was on display with the one having better control prevailing over the other.

In the opening game which lasted 29 minutes, Wang raced to a 3-0 lead after dictating the pace of the rallies before Sindhu grabbed a couple of points. The Indian made it 5-5 after Wang hit the net. Sindhu showed some good judgement and accumulated points riding on her opponents unforced errors but Wang still entered the break with a 11-8 lead.

Sindhu, who had beaten Wang in the Denmark Open last year, grabbed three straight points to make it 11-12 but left a shuttle at the baseline next. The Indian levelled par at 13-13 when Wang hit it way wide off the court.

Sindhu tried to make Wang cover the longest distance by pushing her to the back corner and then drawing her forward to the net, earning her a few points. The Indian used her reach to play some reverse angled strokes to catch Wang off guard and grabbed the lead when Wang found the net.

At 18-18, Sindhu won a video referral to get two crucial game point advantage after once again Wang’s return buried at the net. What came next was the longest rally which ended with Wang winning the point with a forehand return at the back of the court. The Chinese then roared back when Sindhu hit the nets.

Sindhu’s cross court returns set up the next point for her and then she earned the bragging rights when Wang missed the line once again.

With cheers of ‘jetega bhai jetega India jetega’ reverberating in the stadium, Sindhu took the court for the second game and soon opened up a 8-3 lead, much to the delight of the Indian fans.

There was absolutely no margin for error as the duo tried to outwit each other. In the end it was Wang who failed to rein in her errors to allow Sindhu reach the break with a 11-8 advantage after sealing an aggressive parallel rally with a powerful smash.

Everytime the 21-year-old Sindhu outplayed her more experienced rival, she seemed more pumped up as it was followed by a loud cheer from the Indian fans. There were occasional exchanges of looks with coach Pullella Gopichand, who was seen constantly giving his feedback from the sideline.

At 18-13, Sindhu moved into a five-point cushion when Wang pushed one wide. The Chinese showed great fighting spirit to reel off the next six points and grabbed the lead with a mid court smash.

A good return of serve made it 19-19 before the Indian secured the match point with a powerful smash. Wang hit the net on the decisive point as Sindhu fell to the ground in jubilation.

One of the best moments of my career, says PV Sindhu

Rio de Janeiro:A visibly elated PV Sindhu rated her win over London Olympics silver medalist Yihan Wang as one of the best moments of her career hoping that she could maintain her good form against Japanese Nozomi Okuhara in the semi-finals of the Rio Olympics.

Asked about her initial feelings, Sindhu said:”This is also Rio Olympics, it’s a very different feeling. It’s one of the best moments. I hope there will be many more to come,” World No 10 said after her 22-20 21-19 victory to become second Indian after Saina Nehwal to reach last four at Olympics.

Queried about the pressure of winning an Olympic medal for India in this difficult time, she said:”I was just thinking about the game. If you play really well you will automatically win the game, and a medal. I’m just focused on my match and the next match, the semis (against Okuhara). I hope I can give my best.”

Seven years younger to the Chinese, the two-time world championship bronze medallist Indian trailed by 10-12 and was 20-20 but she maintained her calm to win two points and take an intense first game.

Sindhu attributed her patience which helped her winning crucial points when the much fancied Chinese rival was retrieving everything she threw at her.

“There were big rallies, she was attacking well. My smashes were going out initially. Even she did not leave and she was lifting everything. I was really patient and I was ready for everything, which I feel was the turning point.”

“I never thought I would lose this, because any moment anything can change. It was not so easy to get points, both of us fought for every point. It was very close. In the first game it was 20-all and I felt even though I was leading I never thought the game was over. She came really close, even she played brilliantly,” she said.

All eyes on shuttler Srikanth after Sindhu’s inspiring win

Rio de Janeiro: Kidambi Srikanth, the centre of attention in the Rio Olympics today, can take heart from Hyderabad city mate P V Sindhu for his men’s singles quarterfinal clash against Chinese badminton icon Lin Dan here.

Sindhu’s stunning straight-game victory over formidable Chinese shuttler Wang Yihan on day 11 yesterday to reach the semis is the ideal morale boost for Srikanth as he confronts two-time Olympic champion Dan.

With the memorable win, Sindhu became the second Indian badminton player to reach an Olympic semifinal after Saina Nehwal achieved the feat four years ago.

Sindhu’s highly inspirational 22-20 21-19 victory over the current world no 2 and silver medal winner in London four years ago has boosted the country’s sagging hopes of a medal from the Games.

The 21-year-old Indian now stands just a win away from assuring India an elusive medal at the Games here.

However, the task for Srikanth against Dan is formidable as national coach P Gopichand said.

“It’s going to be a tough match and he (Srikanth) will give his best. Let’s see how it goes. All past records have no significance. It’s about keeping the momentum,” said Gopi after guiding Sindhu past Wang.

Srikanth has beaten Dan famously once to win the China Open two years ago, but the Chinese ace has looked unstoppable in past Olympics.

Indian athletes, including P T Usha’s prot g Tintu Luka (women s 800m) and lone woman golfer Aditi Ashok are still in the fray, but India’s receding medal chances now rest mainly on badminton and wrestling.

Tintu would be running in round one of the women’s two-lap race today while Aditi will start her campaign in the four-day stroke play golf competition.

Also in action today are women freestyle grapplers Vinesh Phogat (48kg) and Sakshi Malik (58 kg).

The country’s campaign in the Olympics has been beset by a series of disappointments and controversies.

In fact Sindhu’s superb show against Wang in 54 minutes overshadowed wrestler Narsingh Yadav’s Olympic participation, which was put in doubt after the clean chit given to him by the National Anti-Doping Agency in the dope scandal back home was challenged by world body WADA in the Court of Appeal for Sports.

“WADA has appealed against the NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) clearance in Court of Arbitration (CAS). Now the hearing is on and the IOA Secretary General (Rajeev Mehta) is there with WADA officials,” Indian contingent’s chef-de-mission Rakesh Gupta told PTI.

PTI