Paris: In a mere 29 minutes, Indian badminton ace and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu launched her Paris Olympics campaign with a decisive straight-game win over Maldives' Fathimath Abdul Razzaq on Sunday.
From the outset, the gulf in class was clear. Sindhu, aiming for a third Olympic medal, effortlessly dispatched her lower-ranked opponent with a 21-9, 21-6 victory in their Group M encounter.
Ranked 10th, Sindhu, who claimed silver at the 2016 Rio Games and bronze at the Tokyo Games, is set to meet world No. 75 Kristin Kuuba of Estonia in her second group match on Wednesday.
Sindhu dominated the first game, establishing an early lead and maintaining control throughout. Fathimath struggled to contend with Sindhu's pace and precision, resulting in numerous errors that paved the way for Sindhu's 21-9 win.
The second game saw a continuation of Sindhu's dominance. Despite a few unforced errors, her powerful smashes and strategic play left Fathimath unable to mount any significant challenge. Sindhu surged to an 11-3 lead at the mid-game interval and finished the match with a commanding 21-6 score.
This emphatic victory marks a strong start for Sindhu in Paris. The Indian shuttler, already renowned for her historic bronze in Tokyo, has demonstrated her excellent form and readiness for the competition ahead.
As Sindhu progresses in the tournament, excitement mounts among fans and analysts, all eager to see if she can add another Olympic medal to her distinguished career.