Dubai Super Series Finals: Sindhu settles for another Silver in a thrilling three-game battle vs Yamaguchi

PV SINDHU once again settles for Silver at a major tournament. Defeated by Akane Yamaguchi 15-21, 21-12, 21-19 in a thrilling three-game battle at the Dubai Super Series Finals.

India’s shining star @Pvsindhu1 finishes 2017 with silver at Dubai Super Series Finals. Congratulations & wish u all the best for future endeavours 👍👍 #DubaiSSF2017 pic.twitter.com/nEaKzl6PrO

— Samir Abbas (@TheSamirAbbas) December 17, 2017

As usual a good start from the Indian but after gaining early two points, the Japanese came back strong to take the following 4-5 straight points. It then became a closely contested battle but Sindhu was able to take the lead at the interval 11-8.

Sindhu was quick to collect as many as points post interval which left no room for Akane to make a comeback. Sindhu had a strong lead even though the Japanese saved two game points, it was the Indian who took the opening game 21-15.

The start of the second game too saw dominating performance from Sindhu leaving Akane under immense pressure. With the errors from the Japanese, it was making Sindhu's job easy as she was getting closer to laying her hands on the title.

Akane was trying her best to cut down the difference between and she also realised that this was her only chance to fight back and stay alive in the match.

With grit and perseverance, Akane levelled the points at 8-8 and displayed her fighting spirit. And for the first time in the game, she took a lead at 9-8. She then won five straight points with some great shots on show and took the lead at the interval 11-9.

The Japanese maintained her lead throughout the game and eventually went onto win it to push the match into a decider. Sindhu had trouble with her serves mainly that led to her opponent make the most it.

The final game begins with Sindhu once again in control of the match as she took a series of four points but then once again Akane rose to the occasion and saw herself slowly creep into the game.

And then she levelled the game once again at 5-5 but then the Indian stepped up and won a series of points that saw her in the lead at the interval 11-8.

The cheers from the crowd gathered in Dubai only grew louder for the Indian that motivated along with the words and push from coach Gopichand. As expected the final game saw a neck-to-neck battle with both shuttlers giving it their all in order to win points and get closer to the title.

It was a breath-taking performance from both the shuttlers and reminded of the final battle at the World Championships. This was the battle which would see the fittest win. It was all going down to the wire as the scores read 19-19 and two bad shots from Sindhu saw Akane clinch the Dubai SSF title.

Another scintillating match that involved Sindhu clinching a Silver. Her battle for gold continues. But nonetheless it is a great end to the year.

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