Tokyo Olympics 2020: PV Sindhu storms into women's singles badminton quarterfinal

PV Sindhu defeated Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt 21-15, 21-13 in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 round of 16 women’s singles Badminton match. The sixth seed Indian dominated the match against the 13th seed as she finished it in just 41 minutes. (Tokyo 2020 full coverage)

Blinchfedt took a quick two point lead as the Indian took a little bit of time to get going.  But once the Rio Olympics silver medalist settled in, she took a 6-3 lead and then extended it to 10-5 with her brilliant anticipation.

The Indian maintained the lead throughout the match as she gained the momentum and didn’t let the Dane close the gap.

Meanwhile Blinchfedlt targeted Sindhu’s left side to take some points. But the Indian earned five game points at 20-15 and then quickly closed to win Game 1 at 21-15.

In the second game, the 2019 world champion quickly raced to a 5-0 lead. Although the Dane took a couple of points to stretch the Indian but Sindhu was up for the challenge as she led 11-6.

Sindhu extended the five point lead as she maintained the momentum. Blinchfeldt was playing the catching up game as Sindhu was dominating the rallies.

The 26-year-old earned nine game points and then was quick to close the game and book her place in the quarter-finals.

PV Sindhu in fine form

Going into the quarter-final match on July 30, Sindhu hasn’t conceded a game in her Tokyo Olympics campaign so far.

Sindhu comes into the 2020 Olympics as the defending silver medallist. She lost a hard-fought final to Carolina Marin at Rio 2016.

However, five years later, Sindhu is one of the favourites to win gold. Making things easier on her is the fact that Marin isn’t in the draw. The Spaniard withdrew from the Olympics in advance due to injury.

India have only won a single medal so far in the Olympics – Mirabai Chanu’s weightlifting silver medal.