Sindhu’s upset of Yihan is more than just a win

PV Sindhu’s upset of world No.2 Wang Yihan marks yet another milestone in the Indian badminton story. This was not just another opponent – Wang Yihan is the defending World Champion and Olympic silver medallist.

She is among the most accomplished of contemporary Chinese players, and among their brightest stars. To beat her on Chinese soil speaks of immense talent, strength of will, and presence of mind.

The upset on Thursday saw her demonstrate the essential qualities of a fighter. She had three match points at 20-17 in the second game, only to see Yihan climbing level at 20-all. The Chinese even went ahead at 21-20. A lesser player would have crumbled under the disappointment and pressure.

In an earlier age, instances of Indian players failing to convert their opportunities formed the bulk of the ‘so near yet so far’ stories that were so commonplace in Indian sport.

However, this is a different era, and Indian badminton players are of a different steel these days. Sindhu calmly pulled abreast at 21-all, won her fourth match point, and converted. She had beaten the defending champion in straight games. It was the rudest shock for China on pre-quarterfinal day, and it’s a result that will put immense pressure on them.

The top seed Li Xuerui is still there, but there are others in the draw capable of upsetting her and preventing a Chinese whitewash. The last World Championships had seen China walk away with all five titles. A repeat seems unlikely, because Sindhu’s victory today has opened up the draw.

For Sindhu, this result, coming after last year’s defeat of Li Xuerui shortly after she’d won the Olympic gold, pits her now in the highest league. This was the biggest stage, and Yihan is about the toughest opponent she could face. It wasn’t a time when the Chinese was out of form, or injured, for she has been on a victory streak this year.

After the Olympics, where she won silver, Yihan has won the China Masters, German Open, Asian Championships and Singapore Open. At the Asian Championships, Yihan managed to defeat her compatriot Li Xuerui, who’d had the better of her several times over the last two years.

Perhaps we should have had an inkling that the upset was possible, for Sindhu had taken Yihan to three games at the Sudirman Cup in May. In any case, the win presents her with the great opportunity of a World Championships medal. She takes on Wang Shixian, and there’s nothing to suggest she can’t get the better of Shixian as well.

Thursday’s results will see Indian badminton on the threshold of achieving something special. With Saina, Kashyap and Sindhu in the quarterfinals, there could be the incredible prospect of all three entering the semifinals – a never-before moment in Indian badminton history. All through, India have never had world-beaters in women’s singles, but within the space of about six years, two have arrived. A few more wait in the wings.

What’s different this time is the huge following Indian badminton has built up. With the IBL coming up, most badminton players are household names now, and their exploits are being keenly watched and discussed. Nehwal’s Olympic bronze gave the sport a booster dose, and if India can win another medal – or three – the sport will change beyond recognition.