Tokyo: In a heartbreaking news for India, the country’s lone hope in badminton Sindhu lost to second seed and World No.1 China’s Tai Tzu-Ying in the Badminton Women’s Singles Semifinal of Tokyo Olympics.
Sindhu lost in straight games 18-21, 12-21 against Tai Tzu-Ying. She will now compete for the bronze medal match.
Winning the toss, Sindhu opted for the near end of the court and immediately got involved in the first long rally of the match to slightly nose ahead by 4-3. A couple of errors in judgment from World No. 1 gave Sindhu the opportunity to extend the lead to 8-5. A few flat exchanges near the net and a brilliant forehand smash allowed Tai to come back strong and make it 11.
Sindhu had stormed into the women’s singles semifinals after a thrilling win over Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi. The Indian shuttler defeated Yamaguchi 21-13, 22-20 to set up a date with Tai Tzu-Ying in the semis.