BWF Super Series Finals: PV Sindhu beats Chen Yufei to enter maiden final

PV Sindhu vs Chen Yufei, Dubai Super Series Finals: PV Sindhu beats Chen Yufei 21-15, 21-18. (Source: AP)

Indian ace shuttler PV Sindhu defeated China’s eighth-ranked Chen Yufei 21-15, 21-18 in the women’s singles semi-finals of the BWF Dubai World Superseries Finals to be played at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai on Saturday. With the win, Sindhu becomes the second singles’ player to enter final. The World No. 3 registered three consecutive wins in the group stage, thrashing Akane Yamaguchi 21-9, 21-13 in just 36 minutes to top group A on Friday. She previously eliminated Japanese Sayaka Sato by 21-13, 21-12 and China’s He Bingjiao by 21-11, 16-21, 21-18 from her group. Only the top eight in the respective men’s and women’s singles rankings have earned the right to compete in the tournament. The Hyderabadi shuttler, who has had a successful year with the India Open and Korea Open titles, remains India’s only hope in the competition after Kidambi Srikanth got knocked out after going down in all the three rounds of the group stage.

PV Sindhu vs Chen Yufei, key highlights:

2135 hrs IST: PV Sindhu wins semifinal match against Chen Yufei 21-15, 21-18

Indian shuttler PV Sindhu defeated China’s Chen Yufei 21-15, 21-18 in 59 minutes to set up final clash against Akane Yamaguchi in the BWF Super Series Finals. With the win, Sindhu enters her maiden final of World Super Series Finals and also the second Indian singles’ player to do so.

2125 hrs IST: World No. 3 PV Sindhu goes into the mid-game break with 11-8 lead. After Sindhu took quick initial points, Yufei tried to make a comeback but the Indian shuttler ensured she went into the break with a 2-point lead.

2118 hrs IST: Sindhu takes four straight points to take the lead in the 2nd game. She is using her height to the best advantage, leading 6-3 in what looks like the final game.

2110 hrs IST: PV Sindhu wins opening game 21-15

PV Sindhu takes control of the opening game after the break point to take a six-point lead against World No. 8 Yufei. The game sees some fabulous smashes and rallies.

2104 hrs IST: The Hyderabadi shuttler is in her element! Powerful smashes by Sindhu see her taking 18-14 lead.

2059 hrs IST: Sindhu has found her way back. She takes a 4-point lead after fabulous rallies against the eighth seed.

2055 hrs IST: Sindhu goes into the mid-game break with a point’s lead at 11-10. A neck-to-neck competition is underway at the Hamdan Sports Complex.

2050 hrs IST: Chen Yufei recovers the lost points. She comes back roaring to make it level at 5-5. An intense game underway.

2045 hrs IST: What a commanding start by the Indian shuttler, takes first five points on the trot. A strong game by Sindhu, who leads opening game 5-0.

2035 hrs IST: PV Sindhu takes the court against World No. 8 Chen Yufei. Sindhu remains India’s only hope after Kidambi Srikanth’s exit in the group stage.

2001 hrs IST: Meanwhile, Viktor Axelsen gave a dominating performance in the men’s semifinals match to defeat Shi Yuqi 21-12, 21-8 and enter final. Next up is Sindhu’s match.

1954 hrs IST: Sindhu kept a clean sheet in the group stage to top Group A with three points. Winner of the semifinal match between Sindhu and Yufei will meet Akane Yamaguchi in the final of World Super Series Finals on Sunday.

1930 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of PV Sindhu’s semifinal match against Chen Yufei in the Dubai World Super Series Finals. Today is the day four of the ongoing tournament, where top eight world rankings contest for the title.