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PV Sindhu beats Kaloyana Nalbantova in straight games at BWF World Championships, showing a strong comeback and powerful smashes in her opener.
PV Sindhu will next play Karupathevan Letshanaa (Picture credit: AFP)
Star Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy advanced to the second round of women’s and men’s singles competitions, respectively, with straight-game wins at the BWF World Championships on Tuesday.
Former champion Sindhu appeared nervous at the beginning but gradually increased her pace and sharpened her attack to defeat world number 69 Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova 23-21, 21-6.
Prannoy, the 2023 bronze medalist who has dropped to world number 34, then triumphed 21-18, 21-15 over Finland’s world number 47 Joakim Oldorff in a 47-minute contest.
Sindhu will next face Thailand’s Karupathevan Letshanaa, while Prannoy is likely to take on second seed Anders Antonsen.
Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, started nervously and fell behind 0-4 because of a series of miscued shots early on. From 6-2, Nalbantova made a few mistakes, permitting Sindhu to narrow the gap to 5-7.
The Bulgarian maintained pressure on the Indian to move to 9-5. A well-placed shot and another precise return gave Nalbantova an 11-7 advantage at the break.
After the break, world number 15 Sindhu unleashed a series of smashes, including her trademark cross-court returns, to level the score at 12-all.
With the Bulgarian finding the net twice, Sindhu took a 14-12 lead. Sindhu’s deep clears went out thrice, making it 15-all.
Nalbantova advanced to 19-17 after Sindhu’s net shot tumbled inside after kissing the net.
Sindhu levelled the score with a fine net shot but went long again, giving the Bulgarian a game point. Nalbantova missed her opportunity by hitting the net, making it 20-all.
The Bulgarian grabbed another game point but squandered it again, handing Sindhu the game point once more. Sindhu sealed the game this time.
After the change of ends, Sindhu came out aggressively, surging to a 5-1 lead with some assertive returns. Nalbantova recovered to 5-6 but was inconsistent. Sindhu increased her pace with cross-court attacks and led by six points at the break.
It was one-way traffic as Sindhu quickly jumped to 17-5 with Nalbantova making several errors, including judgment calls at the backline. Sindhu bagged 15 match points, wasted one and then sealed the match with a smash.
Prannoy vs Oldorff
Prannoy fell behind early but soon found his range, turning the tables at 8-7 with round-the-head cross-court smashes. The Indian controlled the rallies, making his opponent twist and turn to set up points and finish with his smashes.
Prannoy moved to 10-8 with a forehand cross before taking a two-point lead with a straight smash. The duo engaged in energy-sapping rallies, with Oldorff clawing back to 16-16.
Prannoy relied on his repertoire of strokes, and a razor-sharp smash followed by two unforced errors from his opponent gave the Indian three game points. Prannoy wasted one before Oldorff hit wide.
After the change of ends, the Indian led 7-4. Prannoy played patiently, using his block and lift, making his opponent run and waiting for his opportunities. This strategy gave him a three-point cushion at the break.
Prannoy continued to dominate the rallies, with his opponent faltering. Soon, he led 17-11. Another around-the-head smash brought him to 19-13. He grabbed five points and converted the final one after Oldorff sent the shuttle long.
(With PTI Inputs)
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