PV Sindhu has marched into the semifinals of the BWF World Super Series Finals with a huge win over Carolina Marin 21-17, 21-13 on Friday. Sindhu will be pleased to defeat Marin, who defeated the Indian in the Rio Olympics final to clinch gold.
The Indian shuttler looked in complete control during the contest. Not only did she shine offensively, Sindhu's defence stood firm as well to help her come with an all-round performance to emerge victorious.
SINDHU BEAT CAROLINA MARIN 21-17, 21-13.
8:14: It is match point for Sindhu as Marin hits the shuttle long. With some stunning display at the net, Sindhu clinches an impressive point to win the game, and with it, the match as well.
8:12: Sindhu is inching closer to the semi-finals as she is just four points away from defeating Marin, who wins the next point with a delicate smash. That looked easy after a long rally. Service error from Marin, who is not giving up. The Spaniard makes it 12-18 with a cross court shot, but Sindhu looks comfortbale for the win.
8:10: Marin is coming back into the game as she wins three points on a trot, but Marin hits a wild smash to hand Sindhu an easy point. Sindhu has a six-point advantage 15-9, but Sindhu makes a mistake at the net. Sindhu leads 15-10.
8:08: Marin is under pressure, and she is making some errors, which is quite uncharacteristic of her. Sindhu is taking full advantage of that, and she has opened up a 13-6 lead.
8:05: Sindhu has looked more solid in the second game so far, and she has deservedly taken a 5-point lead. 11-6
8:04: And that shot, cross court from Sindhu, again to make Marin helpless. Sindhu wins another point with a spectacular defensive dive to take 9-5 lead.
8:01: Sindhu is quite unstoppable now. She unleashes her favourite smash down the line for 6-4 lead. The Indian shuttler takes the next point as Marin makes a mistake at the net. Sindhu leads 7-4.
7:59: Sindhu wins a point at the net as she plays a soft shot at the net, and gets lucky next with the net tape. Sindhu is now leading at 4-3, and makes it 5-3 as Marin fails to connect her drop shot precisely. The shuttle strikes the net.
7:56: The second game has once again started on a close note. It is 1-1. Marin and her pace, stunning. The Spaniard deserved the point, such quick hands, and wins another point to take 3-1 lead.
THE SECOND GAME IS UNDERWAY....
Are we in Punjab? There is an Indian feel in the stadium as some punjabi tune is played.
7:51: Sindhu has the game in her bag. She cannot afford to allow Marin back in the first game as the Spaniard has saved a few game points, but a great smash down the line by Sindhu clinches the game. SINDHU WINS FIRST GAME, 21-17.
7:48: Sindhu is just two points away from the first game, and she has the game point as Marin is pegged back and she hits it long. Marin wins the next points, but Sindhu leads 20-15
7:46: Marin tries to be, once again, clever at the net, but Sindhu is strong and Marin makes an error. Stunning by Sindhu, who has brought Indian fans on their feet with a powerful smash. Sindhu leads 18-13, and makes it 19-13 with another brilliant smash.
7:44: Mixture of defence, and then offence from Sindhu to pick another point. Sindhu is looking in fine shape at the moment and she has increased her lead to 16-12 as Marin hits it long. Marin plays a lovely shot at the net to finsh a loooooooong rally. Sindhu leads 16-13.
7:41: It is 11-all as Marin plays a beautiful shot, which Sindhu fails to reach, and again another point for Marin as Sindhu hits at the net. Now, we have Marin making the same mistake at the net 12-12. This time Sindhu is lucky as the shuttle rolls over after hitting the net tape for 13-12 lead.
7:39: Sindhu is still making mistakes. Marin has run into 10-8 lead with a short smash. Brilliant court coverage from Sindhu, who finishes it with a point. Sindhu trail 9-10, and makes it 10-10 as Marin tries to play a cross court shot, which goes wide. This is lovely from Sindhu, who places the shuttle on the left to Marin to take 11-10 lead.
7:37: Sindhu has come back brilliantly as she has levelled it at 7-7, and she is gaining momentum. Marin fails to lift it well at the net. Sindhu hits it long, and Marin makes it 8-8.
7:35: Marin is looking good at the net, collecting some points, but Sindhu also shows her class wining two points on a trot. Sindhu wins another as she hits it on the line to make it 6-7.
7:32: The game is already quite tight as it is 3-3, and Sindhu hits it long to trail by a point. That was a close leave by Marin. Sindhu hits it wide again, Marin leads 5-3.
7:30: Sindhu earns another as she wins a challenge, and there is that scream from Marin after collecting her maiden point of the match. Marin and her defence helps her win back-to-back point to make it 2-2.
7:28: Sindhu starts with a point as Marin hits it long. 1-0
THE FIRST GAME IS UNDERWAY............
7:23: Today, the turnout seems to be amazing in Dubai, and with a large number of Indians in the crowd, we know that the support for Sindhu will be amazing. Marin, sorry, it is not your fault. Indians are everywhere, hence the support. You see, the advantage of being the most populous country in the world. Is there a lion in the crowd? I hear some roar. Oh no, it is Sindhu's supporters in good voice.
7:19: Okay, the doubles contest is over. The Indonesian pair have won the match in straight games, meaning Sindhu and Marin will be out there in the court to battle it out for the singles contest. Are you ready?
7:15: Sindhu must be currently inside the dressing room, trying to keep herself relaxed, and focus on the massive encounter.
7:04: Meanwhile, the first game is over in the mixed doubles contest. The Indonesian pair have clinched it.
7:02: Sindhu's match against Marin in the Rio final was a brilliant contest, and here is a slight recap for you all badminton fans. How I wish Sindhu had taken her game to the next level in the final game then to clinch the title. Anyways, watch the highlights.
6:50: Though the bigger match for Indian fans will be Sindhu vs Marin, do I even need to say that, but this mixed ongoing doubles contest is interesting. Hey, if you are bored and tired, please do not take a power nap, such doubles clash does not take much time to get over.
6:40 pm IST: Hey all you wonderful people, thanks for joining in. As of now, it is the mixed doubles contest between Joachim Fischer Ni, Christinna Pedersen (Denmark) vs Praveen Jordan, Debby Susanto (Indonesia). It is after this match, our own beloves Sindhu will take on Marin.
Hello everyone. Welcome to International Business Times, India's live blog coverage of the BWF Super Series Finals. What a match we have in our hand, it is the repeat of the Rio 2016 Olympic women's singles finals – PV Sindhu vs Carolina Marin. Sindhu will hope to take revenge for that loss to Marin in the gold medal match.
Can it get any better than this in the competition? Ummmmmm, may be not in the group stages, at least. Come on, the title decider will always be the biggest match of the contest, and Sindhu fans will love to see her in action on Sunday during the final.
Things are different this time around compared to the Rio final for Marin at least as she has not won a single match in this competition while Sindhu scripted a win over Akane Yamaguchi in the opening match, but lost to Sun Yu to make this match even more important.
There is a lot to play for, more importantly, Sindhu can reach the semi-finals of the BWF Super Series with a win over Marin. That would be some outstanding feat for the shuttler, who has already had a dream run this season.
I cannot wait for the game to start as the action is set to be top-class with two incredible players against one another in the circuit.
The match is just an hour away, and stay tuned for the live blog coverage, where I will keep you entertained throughout the contest.
