PV Sindhu wins title at Syed Modi badminton, ends 29-month wait

PV Sindhu ended her title drought after 29 months on Sunday, winning the women’s singles at the Syed Modi India International BWF Super 300 tournament.

India’s ace shuttler, whose previous title had was the 2019 world championships triumph, defeated compatriot Malvika Bansod in the final in Lucknow.

The 21-13, 21-16 score-line reflected Sindhu’s overall control in the summit clash, though young Bansod made her formidable opponent move around a lot in the later stages of the final at the UP Badminton Academy courts.

Sindhu, the world No 7, had not won a title since the world championship at Basel, Switzerland in August 2019, the pandemic situation and disruption in the schedule had also contributed to the long wait.  It took her 35 minutes to clinch her second title at the Syed Modi tournament, having previously won the event in 2017.

Although the field was depleted as a consequence of the Covid situation, Sindhu would savour the win as it ended the wait. The 26-year-old Hyderabad player felt the heat only in the quarterfinals when she rallied to beat world No 30 Supanida Katethong, having suffered a shock defeat to the Thai at the India Open in Delhi the previous week.

Starting in style on Sunday, Sindhu raced to 11-1 in four minutes. Though Bansod tried to step up pace and managed a few points, Sindhu won the first game in 14 minutes. In the second game, Bansod, the world No 84, raised her game and engaged Sindhu in long rallies, moving her all over the court. Sindhu was down 3-5 before regaining control by reeling off eight points in a row to lead 12-4.

The 20-year-old Bansod though rallied to give Sindhu a tough time. At 7-13, Bansod switched gears and won a few points, the pick of which was a down-the-line smash on Sindhu’s backhand. The double Olympic medallist though didn’t lose her grip, winning 21-16 to wrap up the match.

The all-French men’s singles final between Arnaud Merkle and Lucas Claerbout was declared a “no match” after both players reportedly tested positive for Covid-19. “BWF can confirm one of the finalists tested positive for Covid-19 this morning. The other finalist is deemed a close contact and has also been withdrawn,” badminton’s world body said in a statement.

Seventh seeds Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto won the mixed doubles title, beating T Hema Nagendra Babu and Srivedya Gurazada 21-16, 21-12 in 29 minutes in the all-Indian affair.

Malaysia won the men’s and women’s doubles titles defeating Indian rivals. Tressa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lost to Anna Cjing Yik Cheong and Teoh Mei Xing 12-21, 13-21 in women while Krishna Prasad Garga and Visnuvardhan Goud lost to Man Wei Chong and Kal Wun Tee 18-21, 15-21.

RESULTS (India unless mentioned):

Women’s singles: PV Sindhu bt Malvika Bansod 21-13, 21-16

Men’s singles: Arnaud Merkle vs Lucas Claerbout (both Fra) (no match)

Women’s doubles: Anna Cjing Yik Cheong/Teoh Mei Xing (Mas) bt Tressa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand 21-12, 21-13

Men’s doubles: Man Wei Chong/Kal Wun Tee (Mas) bt Krishna Prasad Garga/Visnuvardhan Goud 21-18, 21-15