Indian shuttler PV Sindhu stormed into the Singapore Open final after a commanding win over lower-ranked Japanese counterpart Saena Kawakami in the women's singles semifinal in Singapore on Saturday, July 16. The two-time double Olympic medallist, who won the Super 300 and Swiss Open titles in 2022, secured a 21-15, 21-7 victory in a semifinal clash that lasted just 32-minutes.
Sindhu is now just a win away from her maiden Super 500 title of the 2022 season. The star shuttler from Hyderabad came into the match with a 2-0 head-to-head record, having last played her at the 2018 China Open.
The former world champion looked in complete control against the world number 38, who was unable to keep control of the shuttle and was buried in a heap of errors during a lop-sided match. Sindhu tried her smashes early on but the drift in the hall made it difficult, but the power in her strokeplay helped the Indian moved to a healthy three-point lead at the break.
The 24-year-old Japanese, however, started putting the shuttle in from difficult positions to draw parity. The match came alive with both fighting for each point. Sindhu also won two video referrals, punished a weak high lift and also made good calls at the baseline to move to 18-14. A power-packed smash and then two unforced errors by Kawakami helped Sindhu seal the opening game comfortably.
Kawakami's struggles continued in the second game as she failed to control the shuttle and conceded a 0-5 early lead to her Indian rival. Meanwhile, Sindhu kept her opponent engaged throughout the battle as she patiently waited for her to make mistakes. The Japanese had no answer to Sindhu's forehand attacking returns and backhand flicks as well, as the Indian moved to 19-6.
Sindhu sent one long but next unleashed a whipping smash from the baseline which her opponent could only send into the net. With Kawakami sending the shuttle out again, Sindhu fist pumped to announce her entry into the finals.
