Sindhu reaches Thailand Open semifinals by defeating Yamaguchi

P.V. Sindhu overcame world No. 1 Akane Yamaguchi 21-15, 20-22, 21-13 in the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open to set up a clash with Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei in the semifinals

Two-time Olympic medallist P. V. Sindhu eked out a three-game win over world number 1 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan to make it to the semifinals of the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament on Friday.

The sixth seeded Indian prevailed 21-15, 20-22, 21-13 over second seeded Japanese in 51 minutes to set up a clash with Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei of China.

The last time Sindhu and Yamaguchi played, the match was marred by controversy with Sindhu being penalised a point by the umpire for delaying tactics during the Badminton Asia Championships semifinals.

Sindhu came into the match with a 13-9 head-to-head record and dished out another fine performance to notch up her 14th victory over the reigning World Champion.

Nothing separated the two in the initial phase with Sindhu depending on her cross court slices and drops to trouble Yamaguchi, who blew a three-point lead to allow the Indian move to a 11-9 break.

Yamaguchi reeled off five match points, only for Sindhu return the favour with seven straight points to move to a 19-14 lead.

Sindhu, however, sent the shuttle long before moving to five game points and sealing it when an off-balance Yamaguchi sent the shuttle to the net again.