Indian badminton ace PV Sindhu kicked off her Paris 2024 campaign in style, defeating Maldives’ Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq in straight games. Aiming for her third consecutive Olympic medal, Sindhu secured a convincing 21-9, 21-6 victory in her opening match.
Sindhu, who previously clinched a silver medal at Rio 2016 and a bronze at Tokyo 2020, displayed her prowess right from the start. The match commenced with a loud cheer from the Indian supporters present at the arena, signaling strong backing for the star shuttler. Sindhu wasted no time asserting her dominance, quickly opening up a 3-1 lead in the first game.
Despite some initial resistance from Razzaq, who managed to win a few points with her deep tosses, Sindhu’s experience and skill soon took over. By the mid-game interval in the first game, Sindhu had surged to an 11-4 lead, showcasing her sharp cross-court shots and deft drops. Razzaq had few answers to Sindhu’s varied attack, and the Indian star wrapped up the first game 21-9 in just 13 minutes.
The second game saw Sindhu maintaining her momentum, quickly racing to a 4-0 lead. Razzaq managed a brief comeback, scoring three consecutive points, but Sindhu’s dominance was never in doubt. At the mid-game interval, Sindhu led 11-3, having strung together six consecutive points. She continued to extend her lead, and with a series of impeccable placements, she reached 17-6. Razzaq, seemingly resigned to her fate, struggled to keep up with Sindhu’s pace and precision.
The match concluded with Sindhu clinching the second game 21-6, sealing the victory on her first match point. The entire match lasted less than half an hour, with Sindhu barely breaking a sweat. This victory marks a strong start to her Paris 2024 campaign, setting a positive tone for the matches ahead.
Sindhu’s next challenge will be in the subsequent rounds, where she aims to continue her journey towards a third Olympic medal. As one of the top contenders, Sindhu’s performance in the opener has certainly raised expectations among her fans and the Indian sporting community.
As the group stages progress, Sindhu remains a formidable force, with her eyes set firmly on Olympic glory.
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