PV Sindhu Advances to Olympic Pre-Quarterfinals with Straight-Game Victory Over Kristin Kuuba

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/31st July 2024

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has secured her place in the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s singles event at the Olympic Games after a commanding performance against Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba. Sindhu won the match in straight games, with scores of 21-5 and 21-10, in a contest that lasted just 33 minutes.

This victory follows Sindhu’s earlier triumph over Maldives’ Fathimath Abdul Razzaq, where she dominated with scores of 21-9 and 21-6. With these wins, the two-time Olympic medallist topped her group, advancing directly to the round of 16, as only the winners from each of the 16 groups progress.

Sindhu’s performance in her second group match was particularly impressive. The Indian shuttler, who previously earned a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze in Tokyo, demonstrated her superior skills and experience. In the first game, Sindhu swiftly defeated Kuuba, who is currently ranked 73rd in the world, while Sindhu holds the 13th spot. The gap in their rankings was evident as Sindhu wrapped up the first game in just 14 minutes.

Although Kuuba showed resilience in the second game, engaging in longer rallies and briefly taking a 2-0 lead, Sindhu’s superior game management and tactical play soon took over. There was a brief moment of challenge when Kuuba managed a smash that stretched Sindhu near the net, but this only highlighted Sindhu’s adaptability and skill.

Sindhu quickly regained control, showcasing her prowess with a series of cross-court smashes that established a significant lead of 15-6. Despite Kuuba’s efforts to prolong the match, Sindhu remained composed and efficient, ultimately securing the victory. Kuuba managed to save two match points, but Sindhu’s dominance was undeniable, and she closed out the match decisively.

This win reinforces Sindhu’s status as one of the top contenders in the women’s singles competition. Her performance thus far highlights her readiness and ability to excel on the Olympic stage, continuing a pattern of strong showings from previous international tournaments. As Sindhu progresses to the knockout stages, her focus will undoubtedly be on maintaining this high level of play and pushing towards a medal in the ongoing Olympics.