Xtra Time Web Desk: Current world champion shuttler PV Sindhu made a winning start at the Tokyo Olympics badminton women’s singles. Sindhu defeated Israel’s Ksenia Polikarpova in the women’s singles group J match on Sunday. The 26-year-old Indian, seeded sixth, beat the 58th ranked Polikarpova 21-7 21-10 in the opening match.
The world number seven Indian will next play Hong Kong’s world number 34 Cheung Ngan Yi in the group stage.
Rio Games silver medallist Sindhu started on an attacking note but briefly found herself lagging 3-4. However, she moved ahead quickly with Polikarpova making unforced errors and entered the break with a 11-5 lead. But Sindhu bounced back, winning 13 straight points.
Soon, Sindhu was on a roll, grabbing 13 straight points.
Sindhu opened up a 9-3 lead in the second game and then entered the mid-interval with a massive seven-point advantage. Riding on the errors of her opponent Sindhu had 13 match points.
It was business as well after the break, with Sindhu riding on the errors of her opponent before wrapping up the match.