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India’s PV Sindhu lost an absolutely thrilling contest, 17-21 21-19 16-21 to Ji Hyun Sung of Korea in the quarterfinals of Badminton World Championships on Friday.
The opening game saw the Korean take a 3-2 lead before Sindhu bounced to win 2 out of the next 3 points to level scores at 4-4. However, it was Sung who took the lead at that mark, even as the Indian continud to peg her back. But at the 10-10 mark, Sung won the crucial point to lead 11-10 at the intrval mark.
After the break, Sung started to assume control of proceedings, but Sindhu began to fight back at the 11-13 mark, winning 2 points straight to first level the scores at 13-13. But Sung once again pegged her opponnt back at the mark, winning 2 points straight to go 15-13 up and then maintaining the lead to win the game 21-17.
The second game saw Sindhu get off to a good start as she won 2 out of the first 3 points to 2-1 up before Sung leveled the scores an then won 2 poinst straight to go 4-2 up. The Korean then continued to maintain her hold on proceedings, but at the 6-4 mark, the 20-year-old Indian started to claw her way back into the match, levelling the score first at 6-6 and then taking the lead to get back into the match. But Sung refused to back down and came back to win 2 points straight to level the scores at 8-8 and then took the lead at 9-8.
Sindhu, though continued to keep the fight on but despite squaring the score at 9-9, lost 2 out of the next 3 points to trail 10-11 at the break.
After the break, Sung continued to maintain the lead even as Sindhu looked to fight back, but the important turn in the match came at the 11-13 mark, when the Indian won 2 points straight to level the scores at 13-13 and then took the lead to put the pressure back on her opponent.
Both players continued to exchange leads until the 15-15 mark, which is when the Indian started to take control of proceedings, winning 3 out of the next 4 points to go 18-16 up. But Sung continued to keep the fight on and after a few amazing rallies, Sindhu finally prevailed in the second game 21-19 to take the match into a decider
The decider saw Sung take a 2-0 and then strengthened that lead to go 6-3 up. Despite Sindhu putting her best efort, Sung chipped away with the points and eventually led 11-7 at the interval.
After the break, Sung continued to peg her opponent back and despite Sindhu putting her best foot forward, chipped away with the points thereby adding the pressure on the Indian. The match continued to ebb and flow, but at the 12-17 mark, Sindhu won 2 points straight to make it 14-17. But poor judgemant on the part of the Sindhu meant she gave the critcal point to go 14-18 down.
But Sung eventually won the battle of nerves 21-16 and booked a pace in the semifinals.
Final Scoreline- Ji Hyun Sung beat PV Sindhu 21-17 19-21 21-16
