Xtra Time Web Desk: Fifth-seeded PV Sindhu beat third seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 16-21, 21-16, 21-19 to enter the semi final of the All England Badminton Championships on Saturday. Sindhu took an hour and 16 minutes to notch up a hard-fought 16-21, 21-16, 21-19 win over the third seed Japanese in the Super 1000 tournament. Sindhu will now face sixth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand for a place in the final of the tournament. The Indian has an overwhelming 4-1 lead against the world No. 11 Thai.
This was Sindhu’s first win in last four meetings with Yamaguchi.
“I am playing against her after quite a long time, I think 2019. We haven’t played at all. I’m sure she would have trained very hard. Today’s match was a good, tough long match I would say,” Sindhu said.
“In the first game I was making a lot of errors and hitting them out because I was on the side with the stronger drift. The second game, it was in my favour. A lot of long rallies. It was important to get that second game.
“In the third game, it was very crucial. My coach was very supportive, he was making sure I controlled the shuttle well. Each point was very important. Overall, it was anybody’s game but I am happy to be on the winning side.”