BWF Super Series Finals 2016: PV Sindhu starts with a win over Akane Yamaguchi

PV Sindhu has started BWF Super Series Finals 2016 with an impressive win over Akane Yamaguchi in three games in Dubai on Wednesday. Sindhu had to show some great character to come from one game down to clinch the contest, which lasted for 63 minutes. The score read 12-21, 8-21, 21-15.

Sindhu will meet Sun Yu in her next match on Thursday. 

7:46: Sindhu is close to winning her first match of the Super Series FInals as she leads by six points. Yamaguchi is trying her best to come back, and hits a cross court decent smash to earn the next point. But Sindhu wins the match 12-21, 8-21, 21-15. 

7:43: Sindhu, still after losing this point, has a 16-11 lead. Yama wins another with a good smash, which was created by her strong game at the net. Sindhu teaches her how to hit a smash with power, and that too cross court, stretches the lead to 17-12.

7:40: Sorry Yamaguchi, that dive was spectacular, but point goes to Sindhu with the powerful smash. Sindhu is getting into her groove, and unleashing her magical shots, which we call smash. Sindhu leads 15-10. 

7:38: Sindhu gets a dose of her own medicine. Yama hits a body smash and Sindhu is helpless. MY GOD..take a bow. That drop shot from Sindhu after being such close from losing the point is -- 'I cannot believe my eyes shot'. Yama with a smash makes it  10-12, but Sindhu leads.

7:34: Stunning from Sindhu, who shows great defence and then plays an offensive shot to floor Yamaguchi to later earn a point via that delicious drop shot. That is a wonderful point from Sindhu, who will now go into break with a four-point advantage. 11-7.

7:31: There is an air of confidence in Sindhu's play as the Indian is finding it tough to earn points. Yamaguchi has not been allowed to play her natural game of deception. WOW...Yamaguchi and that drop shot, worth watching in replays. Yama hits it long to make it 6-9, Sindhu leads.

7:28: The shuttle is called out, and Yamaguchi challenges the call, but she is wrong, Sindhu wins another point. 6-3, Sindhu leads.

7:27: Sindhu is playing to her strengths, and playing some powerful smashes, but this final game, I assume, will be a tight one. Sindhu again hits a stunning smash to floor Yama and take the lead to 5-3.

7:24: WHAT A RALLY...I will say that again..WHAT A RALLY..... Yamaguchi is stretched all around the court, she never gives up and hits the shuttle long to allow Sindhu the lead. Sindhu regains the lead as Yama is too soft at the net. Despite an amazing defence by Yamaguchi, Sindhu wins the next point to make it 3-1.

NOW THE FINAL GAME OF THE MATCH........IT IS THE DECIDER.

7:18: Long rally, and Sindhu finishes with a cross court shot. That was yummy from Sindhu. She is looking in great form as she increases that lead to 19-7 with a drop shot. Sindhu has the game in her bag and she clinches it as Yamaguchi strikes the shuttle at the net. Sindhu wins 21-8. 

7:14: Sindhu has opened a five point lead, and makes it six as the shuttle decides to fall on Yamaguchi's end after hitting the tape at the net. Luck goes Sindhu's way again as Yamaguchi somehow finds a way to hit the shuttle at the net. 14-7 Sindhu leads.

7:12: Yamaguchi is lightning quick across the court and covers the court too well. The game is level at 7-7. Yamaguchi hits it long, and Sindhu drills a smash to win two points on a trot to take 9-7 lead. That jump from Sindhu and her smash would have even made Chen Long proud. Sindhu increases her lead to 11-7.

7:09: Two straight points for Yama as Sindhu makes an error in judgement, but the Indian delivers a cross court smash to make it 7-4. Even Yamaguchi's dive is not enough.

7:06: Sindhu has increased her lead to 5-1, but yet again, hit it long to make it 5-2. Oh My God, how did Yamaguchi miss that smash. Even my grandmother would have drilled that to earn a point. Sindhu leads 6-2.

7:04: Much better from Sindhu, who gains 2-0 lead after some powerful smashes. Yamaguchi makes an error at the net, Sindhu leads 3-0. 

Yamaguchi.....You deserved the first game, but Sindhu has to attack her opponent in the second. Second game underway.

7:01: Sindhu is tyring to beat her at the net, which is not her forte. She should drill those smashes, which other players also fear. Game point for Yamaguchi, who steals the game as Sindhu makes another unforced error. Yamaguchi clinches 21-12.

7pm: With two back-to- back points and a solid defence, followed by a smash, Yamaguchi has again increased her lead to 17-11. 

6:58: Sindhu getting back into the first game as she cuts the lead to three points only. 

6:55: First real smash from SIndhu down the line to earn a point, and follows with another body shot to make 9-14. Positive signs from Sindhu, who has won three points on a row. 10-14

6:53: Let us all agree, Sindhu has been outplayed so far, which has been aided by her errors. Yamaguchi leads 13-7. 

6:51: Sindhu, sign of nerves? Sindhu has not been able to control her shots, hitting at the net more than once. As a result, Yamaguchi has run into a 11-5 lead, going into the first break. Come on, we all know Sindhu can play much better than this. 

6:49: The Japanese has stretched her lead to 7-3, but Sindhu earns two important points. 

6:47: Sindhu has not unleashed her powerful smashes. Or shall I say Yamaguchi has not allowed her to do so. Sindhu is meanwhile making some unforced erros. Yamaguchi leads 5-2

6:45: Okay, one thing is clear from the first few points, there are Indians in the crowd. Good support for Sindhu, who trails 2-3.

6:44: Sindhu earns the first point of the contest, but hits it just wide to allow Yamaguchi to make it 1-1.

6:43: The first game is underway

6:40: Both the players are out there in the middle, gearing up for the major clash. 

6:35: The women's doubles contest is done and dusted. We are just some minutes away from Sindhu's match. 

6:30: This week is going to be eciting with eight top players in the competition. Both the groups look tough. Only top two players from each group qualify for the semifinals. It is not an easy task for any. 

6:20: Sindhu is one of the best offensive players in the world, and her smashes are second to none. Her game at the net has also improved, which has helped her become a star performer. If you are one of those who always want some visual proof, here is some wonderful case to prove her brilliant offensive play. 

PLEASE NOTE in the video below, she is up against Carolina Marin,  one of the greatest players.

6:12: I know most of you were following Saina Nehwal closely in the past, and rightly so, as she is the one, who placed India in the global map of women's badminton. Sindhu is gradually replacing Saina now, especially after the former's silver medal in Rio, but Sindhu has a long way to go.

Sindhu can further strengthen her case by putting in a splendid performance in Dubai, and winning the title, which will be a major landmark in her career. 

6:05pm IST: The women's doubles match is currently taking shape, and Sindhu's match will take place after this contest is over.