All England Open 2018, Semi-finals: PV Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi, Live Match Updates

Yamaguchi def Sindhu 19-21, 21-19, 21-18 in 1 hour 19 minutes to enter the final.

Updated: 18 March 2018 00:02 IST - Published: 17 March 2018 18:37 IST

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Final score: Yamaguchi def Sindhu 19-21, 21-19, 21-18 in 1 hour 19 minutes to enter the final.

As for Sindhu, she played three-game duels in all her four matches, but never let that come in the way. She showed all her fighting qualities throughout her campaign and just fell short in the end as the spirited Japanese raised her level. The Indian definitely will learn a lot from this and hopefully will ride on this great show to produce even better results in the rest of the season.

And, with Sindhu's loss, the Indian challenge at the All England Open 2018 comes to an end!

Fantastic effort from the Japanese to come back from 17-18 down and take the last four points and grab the win.

Gutsy play from both but credit to Akane for never giving up. She was trailing for most of the decider, yet backed herself up to get the big win and enter her first All England Open final.

It's yet another heartbreak for Sindhu after an amazing, amazing effort!

Yamaguchi puts the shuttle into the corner.

She wins!

Match points for Akane

20-18

Sindhu challenges and she loses the point.

Akane had sent the shuttle in.

Akane 19-18

Sharp crosscourt shot from Akane from the forecourt.

18-18

What a follow up after Akane falls to the ground near the net.

Sindhu 18-17

Sindhu squanders a big, big chance at the net. Her look says it all.

17-17

Akane goes wide!

Sindhu 17-16

Bruising rallies going on currently

Sindhu has gone long.

16-16

Backhand flick from Sindhu to finish at the net.

16-15

Body shot from Akane.

15-15

Sindhu inches ahead to 15-14

Sindhu is spraying errors now.

14-14

Error in judgement from Sindhu.

14-13

A tired shot from Sindhu

14-12

And Akane goes wide after some real hard work.

Sindhu 14-11

Sindhu has doubled over and Akane too is looking tired after a 51-shot rally.

It's 13-10 to Sindhu

Akane is returning better now and making Sindhu come up with errors.

2 points on the trot and she is 9-13

And Akane is looking tired and clueless now.

Her drop shot attempt can't come to her rescue

Sindhu 13-7

And the gap is widening!

12-7 for Sindhu

After being made to run from end to end, Sindhu comes up with a brutal crosscourt smash.

She is 11-7 at the midgame interval.

Akane goes long

7-9

Akane gets another point as Sindhu fumbles at the net.

Akane 7-8

What a rally!

Akane gets the point by putting the shuttle overhead of Sindhu, which lands on the line.

Sindhu is taking the shuttle really, really early.

8-5

Akane went long on the next point but Sindhu returned the favour with a mistimed smash.

7-4

Bang! Another one from Sindhu!

6-3

Big, big smash from Sindhu!

5-3

And it continues to be even.

3-3

Smash from Akane!

2-2

Sindhu wins a net exchange by taking it very early.

2-1

And it is 1-1

Game 3

1-0 to Sindhu

What an absorbing duel this is!

This is Sindhu's fourth consecutive three-game match in this tournament.

She needs to take the initiative, otherwise tiredness could be an issue.

This time the shuttle brushes off the top of the tape and falls on Sindhu's side.

Yamaguchi gets the second game 21-19

Akane goes long!

Sindhu 19-20

Sindhu plays great in a long rally but goes wide.

Akane 20-18

Again Akane can't cross the net.

Sindhu broke her string. It didn't affect her though!

Akane 19-18

Akane goes wide!

19-17

Backhand flick from Sindhu!

16-19

Slow drop from Akane.

19-15

Sindhu just whips the shuttle to Akane's forehand. She can't reach.

Sindhu 15-18

The momentum is with the Japanese now.

18-14

Big smash from Akane!

17-14

It's 16-14 in favour of Akane currently

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