PV Sindhu loses to Yamaguchi in Indonesia Open final

P V Sindhus hopes of breaking a sevenmonth title drought came crashing down as the Indian lost in straight games to Akane Yamaguchi in the finals of Indonesia Open BWF Tour Super 1000 tournament here SundaySeven months after becoming the first Indian to win the seasonending BWF World Tour Finals in December Olympic silver medallist Sindhu had an opportunity to finally lay her hands on another crown only to squander losing 1521 1621 to the Japanese in a lopsided summit clash that lasted 51 minutes herePlaying her first final of the season Sindhu looked a bit anxious and failed to match the brilliance of the 22yearold Yamaguchi whom she had beaten in the last four meetingsShe played really well and there were long rallies I was leading in the first game by 23 points but I made a few mistakes and then she finished it off If I could have won the first game it could have been a bit different Sindhu told reportersIn the second I gave her a huge lead like 56 points and was left to cover it But overall I think it was a good tournament for me and I hope I can take the confidence going forwardNext I am playing Japan and I hope to do well thereThis was Sindhus fifth loss to Yamaguchi in 15 meetings The last time the Indian lost to the Japanese was at the semifinals of the All England Championship last yearThe defeat added to Sindhus list of runnersup finishes which include silvers at the World Championships Asian Games Commonwealth Games Thailand Open and India Open last yearIt was Yamaguchis third title of the season after claiming crowns at German Open and Asian ChampionshipPrior to this in 2019 Sindhu reached the semifinals of Singapore Open and India OpenSindhu had a forgettable start in the opening game as she lagged 03 but soon the Indian controlled the proceedings making Yamaguchi run across the court and finishing with her precise returns to take a 54 leadYamaguchi took the lead at 77 when Sindhu went wide But the Indian managed to grab a threepoint advantage at the break after the Japanese went wide twiceYamaguchi then displayed good retrieval skills and grabbed three straight points when Sindhu miscued her strokesA delicate net short took Yamaguchi to 1213 but she again missed the line The Japanese leveled par at 1414 when the Indian went longYamaguchi attacked Sindhus long backhand corner and soon eked out a 1614 lead An attacking game helped the Japanese to widen the gap as Sindhu once again sent a shuttle wideA lapse in backhand defense and then one shot going long from Sindhu gave Yamaguchi six game points The Indian saved one before a smash to a return of serve helped the Japanese to seal the opening gameIn the second game Yamaguchi made a good start again moving to a 41 lead before stretching it to 85 with Sindhu struggling to control the shuttle The Indian won a few points because of unforced errors by YamaguchiThe Japanese sent one at Sindhus body during a flat exchange before entering the interval with an 118 advantage when the Indian hit outSindhu unleashed a crosscourt smash and pushed one at the backcourt to leave Yamaguchi offbalance but the Japanese rode on the Indians unforced errors to move to a 1510 leadAt 1511 the duo played a 51shot rally that ended with Sindhu making a judgment error Two unforced errors by Yamaguchi took Sindhu to 1316 before she moved to 1518 After treatment on her right knee Yamaguchi was back on the court and produced a smash to make it 1915The Japanese held four match points when Sindhu went long and she sealed it with another smash to claim the biggest title of her careerCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates