PV Sindhu comfortably beat Israel's Ksnia Palikarpova 21-7, 21-10 in 28 minutes in her opening Group J match.
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PV Sindhu began her quest for a second Olympic medal with a comfortable 21-7, 21-10 win over Israel’s Ksenia Palikarpova. The first ever Israeli female Badminton player to qualify for the Olympics was no match for the Indian. Sindhu is touted as India’s biggest medal hope at Tokyo Olympics 2020. Sindhu took the first point but Palikarpova levelled with a smash. Both players went neck-and-neck until the first 10 points before Sindhu started to get away.
The Indian took a bit of time to warm-up as she committed few unforced errors initially. However, once she got into the rhythm, the Israeli was no match for the Indian. A controlled cross-court smash made it 10-5 for PV Sindhu. The Rio Olympics silver medalist quickly raced to 20-7 with some precise smashes and then wrapped up the first game within 13 minutes.
In the second set, the 26-year-old continued from where she had left. Sindhu was completely in control and the Russian-born Israeli opponent was playing with a heavily strapped knee and she wasn’t moving freely. Meanwhile, Sindhu was quick to take a 11-4 lead. The 2019 World Champion was literally toying with her opponent as the score reached 16-5.
Palikarpova closes the gap with a net short. However Sindhu then went up 20-7. Meanwhile Palikarpova took two consecutive points courtesy of Sindhu’s error and a smash to her body. But then Palikarpova sent the shuttle wide to hand the game to Sindhu.
The Group J match was a one-sided affair as the Israeli could hardly trouble the sixth seed Indian. The match was wrapped up by Sindhu in 28 minutes. Sindhu’s next match is on Wednesday, July 28th. She will face World No. 34 Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong.
Sindhu is the only female athlete to have qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The disappointment of Saina Nehwal not participating is a big blow for badminton. Before PV Sindhu left for the Tokyo Olympics, she said that there was no added pressure. In a virtual interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India, Sindhu was quick to point out that she would be giving her 100 percent.
“Back then in 2016, it was the first time, it was a different atmosphere. I didn’t know how it was going to be. But playing for the second time, I know how it’s going to be but the expectations are a lot more, the responsibilities are a lot more. But it’s nothing, I am the only female athlete in Indian badminton and nothing like pressure. For me, I want to go out there and give my 100 percent. Obviously, there will be expectations, but I just have to give my best and focus on the job at hand,” Sindhu stated.
There was disappointment that Saina and Srikanth could not qualify, adding that it would have been great for the Indian contingent. “If they had made it, it would have been good for our Indian contingent. There would have been so many players going for the Olympics. But it’s sad that they did not get selected. We didn’t know that we would be in such a situation when it all started. We went into lockdowns, tournaments were cancelled. Even the BAI and the BWF were trying hard to make it happen. But it’s so unfortunate,” Sindhu had said.
