P.V Sindhu and the nation was dejected after yesterday’s semifinal loss. Sindhu was on the quest to win a successive silver or gold had she won yesterday’s game. But that dream couldn’t materialise. People and so-called experts closer home had predicted it will be tough for Sindhu to overcome the loss. They were predicting her to go down in the bronze medal match too. But her fans and the nation at large were still hopeful of a medal.
Head-to-Head record:
The two players had faced each other 15 times before this game. Bingjiao led the record with 9 wins to Sindhu’s 6. The world number 9 Bingjiao had 4 consecutive wins before Sindhu snapped it in the 2019 BWF finals. Sindhu was chasing a successive silver. A feat that would make her the first Indian woman to win 2 Olympic medals. Bingjiao on the other hand was looking for her maiden silver.
A hurt Sindhu looked hungry in the 1st set:
Sindhu was looking visibly pumped in the first set and took an immediate lead in the first set (5-2). She was pretty much dictating the game right from the word go. But Bingjiao was quick to respond to Sindhu’s questions. She not just levelled at 5-5 but went on to take a slender lead (6-5). Sindhu not wanting to concede the lead came roaring back and took a 3-point lead over Bingjiao at 11-8. She looked the more dominant player in the mid-interval of the 1st set.
Sindhu was relentless in her play and extended the lead post-break at 16-11. She knew she should have won the 1st set in the semi-finals as well and that factor played a big part in this game. Sindhu didn’t let go of a single point that was in her kitty. She played outstandingly well to take the first game 21-13.
The battle for a medal and the game:
Sindhu was looking really good and the whole nation knew it was a matter of one more game. She was right on the money in the 2nd game too. Sindhu took an early game lead much like the first game (5-2). It was looking well beyond Bingjiao who tried her best but was coming second on most times.
Sindhu did concede 3 points leading 11-8 for Bingjiao to equal 11-11. Sindhu then showed real champion instinct by nailing 4 successive points. She was just 6 points away from creating history. Sindhu went on to convincingly win the 2nd game too (21-15). She let out a huge roar after clinching the medal point.
P.V Sindhu is the greatest Indian athlete of all time:
P.V. Sindhu won the bronze medal for India. It is the country’s 2nd medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She became the first Indian woman and 2nd Indian overall to win 2 Olympic medals in an individual game. She is arguably the Greatest Indian woman athlete of all time. It isn’t showtime, it’s Sindhu’s time!
