As of now, PV Sindhu is India's best player in the singles arena, as former world number one Saina Nehwal has been troubled with injuries. The time does not appear far when Sindhu will carry India's flag in major competitions. And the Indian shuttler, after clinching the China Open, aims to become world number one, which will not be too easy.
Sindhu showed amazing form to beat some top shuttlers in Rio Olympics to win the silver, but her performance at the French Open and Denmark Open after the quadrennial event was below par. Hence Sindhu was under pressure to deliver in the China Open, and the burden got heavier with the exit of Saina in the first round.
Sindhu showed strong character in some of the matches en route to the finals of the China Open, and she held her nerves in the finals to win the title in a three-set affair. This China Open win was Sindhu's first Super Series title, which comes as a surprise as she has been featuring in the circuit for around four years.
Now, the India shuttler has set her sights on becoming world number one. Sindhu is currently ranked world number 14, and rates this China Open win below her Rio and World Championship medals.
"After the Olympics, World Championship medals are the best. I would rate the China Open after these two. The reason I felt bad was because I had medals in Asian Games, Uber Cup, Commonwealth, World Championships and Olympics. This was the only one missing from my cabinet. (Now) I want to win All England and many more titles. I want to become No.1," The Times of India quoted Sindhu as saying.
Sindhu has all the goods to climb the ranking charts, but she should not look too far ahead, and just concentrate on being consistent at winning titles. If she manages to do that, the ranking will take care of itself.
Attaining the world number one spot is not going to be easy, with some of the huge names figuring in the circuit at present, though not impossible. Sindhu has the game to beat any shuttler in the world, as was witnessed in Rio Olympics and in the recent past as well.
She has the temperament and character to take her game to the next level, qualities that will be required if she has to battle against some of the top shuttlers like Carolina Marin, Wang Shixian and Ratchanak Intanon. Consistency will be the key for achieving her dreams of becoming world number one, and after that hanging on to that top spot is a different matter altogether.
With the massive triumphs at Rio and China Open, thing are looking good for Sindhu, who is gradually converting her talent to titles.
