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PV Sindhu (WR #3) vs Akane Yamaguchi (WR #2)
Head-to-head: Sindhu leads 4-2
Last meeting: Sindhu beat Yamaguchi, 21-12, 21-19 in the quarter-finals of the 2017 Hong Kong Open
Both PV Sindhu and Akane Yamaguchi have qualified for the semi-finals with two wins at this tournament, so they won’t have much pressure riding on their shoulders. However, this match is still extremely crucial for it will decide the topper from Group A.
There is not much to separate the two. They have both registered a straight-game win in one match while dropping a game in the other.
Yamaguchi has been the most in-form and consistent player since the World Championships. In six Superseries tournaments, the World No. 2 has grabbed the title in one, reached the final in two others, apart from a semi-final and a couple of quarter-final finishes in the rest.
Having said that, it needs to be mentioned that her last loss did come to the very player she will be meeting today -- PV Sindhu. The Indian, in contrast, had a listless couple of months since her triumph at September’s Korea Open. It was only at the Hong Kong Open at the end of last month that she exhibited her usual brilliance and made it to the final.
It was where she accounted for the Japanese, having lost their encounter prior to that. If Sindhu can repeat that same aggressive display and not let Yamaguchi’s deceptive strokes do the talking, the Indian definitely has a chance today.
Srikanth Kidambi (WR #4) vs Shi Yuqi (WR #8)
Head-to-head: Srikanth leads 3-0
Last meeting: Srikanth won 8-21, 21-19, 21-9 in the quarter-finals of the 2017 French Open
Srikanth Kidambi would not be progressing into the semi-finals after finishing on the losing side in his two matches in Dubai this year. His usual accuracy and clarity of thoughts went missing since his injury break.
However, playing for pride might also be a boon for the India No. 1 as it will surely help him to loosen his nerves and free up in his last match of what has been his career-best season. Shi Yuqi has never managed to get the better of the Indian in their three meetings so far and Srikanth definitely could not have asked for an easier opponent in his final BWF match of 2017.
That said, the Chinese did pull off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament on Thursday when he prevailed over the world champion Viktor Axelsen in three gruelling games. It remains to be seen if that can inspire the young Chinese to do it again against the Indian, who has forever been his nemesis.
Here is all the information you need to know:
Tournament name: Dubai World Superseries Finals 2017
Total prize money: $1, 000, 000
Venue: Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai
Round: Round Robin Stage
Date: Friday, December 15, 2017
Time:
1) PV Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi at approx 5.30pm IST
2) Srikanth Kidambi vs Shi Yuqi not before 8.30pm IST
Channel: Star Sports 2/Star Sports 2 HD
Livestream information: Star Sports Hotstar
