Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has kept her hopes for a third Olympic medal alive with a commanding performance on Wednesday. Sindhu advanced to the Round of 16 in Women’s Singles badminton at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcasing her skill and dominance.
Seeded 10th, Sindhu delivered a clinical performance against 73rd-ranked Kristan Kuuba of Estonia in her final Group M match.
Taking just over 30 minutes, Sindhu defeated Kuuba 21-5, 21-10 on Court 1 at La Chapelle Arena. She topped the three-woman Group M with 4 points from 2 matches, remaining unbeaten in the group stage.
Sindhu began her campaign with a straightforward victory over Abdul Razzaq Fathima on Sunday, not dropping a game in either match.
Sindhu started strong, winning the first three points and quickly establishing an early lead against Kuuba. She extended her advantage with a mix of net shots and deceptive returns, leaving Kuuba unable to respond effectively.
Despite a few points scored by the Estonian, Sindhu maintained control. Kuuba attempted an awkward drive shot but failed to keep it in bounds, conceding another point. Sindhu briefly lost a point due to a delayed return but soon regained her momentum with a cross-court drive, securing a 13-point lead.
Sindhu continued to dominate, extending the score to 18-3 before a long return allowed Kuuba a rare point. Ultimately, Sindhu reached the game point and comfortably won the first game with a commanding score of 21-5.
Aiming to conserve energy for the knockout stage, Sindhu sought to wrap up the match quickly. Despite a stronger effort from Kuuba, who leveled the score at 2-2, Sindhu’s powerful smashes and consistent play saw her take the lead.
Kuuba struggled to match Sindhu’s pace, committing errors and losing crucial points. Sindhu’s aggressive play, including rapid smashes and precise drop shots, secured her a commanding 15-6 lead. Ultimately, Sindhu’s dominance on the court sealed her win, as she took the match in straight games.
