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World No. 3 PV Sindhu made it to the semi-final of the All England Open for the first time in her career by beating Japanese star Nozomi Okuhara on Friday in Birmingham. In a match that lasted almost one and a half hours, the Indian shuttler came back from a game down to win the match 20-22, 21-18, 21-18.
The match itself was a tight affair with both the shuttlers going at each other from the word go. All the points were contested with utmost intensity as neither was willing to let go. In many ways, it reminded the viewers of the epic match the duo played out in the final of the World Championships last year where Okuhara had emerged victorious.
On Friday, though, Sindhu had the last laugh. In the first game, Okuhara managed to save a match point before securing a 1-0 lead over the Rio Olympic silver medallist. However, Sindhu held her own to win the second game and take the match into the decider. In the deciding rubber, Okuhara led for the most part but Sindhu fought her way back just at the right time to avenge her World Championship loss.
It was a match that demanded a lot from both Sindhu and Okuhara. And while both displayed extraordinary stamina levels, it wasn't only about that. At one point, especially in the third game, it was about who kept their calm as there was palpable tension on each point and nerves were on the edge.
Sindhu, in particular, was taking considerable breaks in between points as she looked to focus and calm herself down. And soon, after a few warnings from the umpire, she was shown the yellow card for 'slow play' with the score reading 17-17. The warning, though, did not deter the Indian No. 1 as she went on towin the match.
Interestingly, this was not the first time that Sindhu has been shown the yellow card. At last year's World Championships final against Okuhara, she was warned for the same reason. Also, she had received a yellow card during her win over Chen Yufei of China in the semi-final of the Dubai World Super Series Finals last year.
A yellow card is produced for a breach of the Laws of Badminton which mostly include misconduct. Throwing a racket into the opponent's court, leaving the court without the umpire's permission, sliding under the net, coaching while the shuttle is in play and deliberately causing delay are some of the actions that could result in a yellow card. In Sindhu's case, it was causing delay deliberately.
Two yellow cards result in a red card which in turn leads to a point being docked. A black card is also produced in case of flagrant behaviour or misconduct which would disqualify the player.
