Tokyo: India's PV Sindhu entered the women's singles pre-quarterfinals badminton competition at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics after beating Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong in her final Group J match, here on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Indian outclassed world No 34 Cheung 21-9 21-16 in a 35-minute clash to top the group J.The sixth seeded Sindhu used her strokes efficiently and gave almost nothing in the forecourt with fine net play, wrapping up the first game 21-9.
Cheung fought back in the second game, moving Sindhu to the far backhand corner and inched to a 7-6 lead. As the rallies lengthened, Sindhu’s power came to her rescue a few times.
In the end, Sindhu’s better reach, movement and use of court depth and angles was too much to handle for the 28-year old Cheung as Indian won the second round 21-16.
Reigning world champion Sindhu came into the match with a 5-0 record against Cheung.The shuttler from Hyderabad, will now meet Denmark’s world number 12 Mia Blichfeldt, who topped Group I.
World No 7 Sindhu defeated Ksenia Polikarpova of Israel 21-7, 21-10 in her opening group match on Sunday.Later in the day, B Sai Praneeth will take on Mark Caljouw of Netherlands in his final men’s singles Group D match.(UNI)