Tokyo Olympics: PV Sindhu loses to Tai Tzu Ying in semi-final

Indians expecting their first gold in Tokyo Olympics were dealt with a massive setback as PV Sindhu, their biggest hope for gold in Tokyo, suffered a straight set loss to Tai Tzu Ying. The World No 1 outclassed Sindhu 21-18, 21-12 to storm into the finals. Tai Tzu ying will meet Chen Yu Fei, the top seed, in the final. The Indian star, on the other hand, will face He Bingjiao for the bronze medal. He Bingjiao went down fighting 21-16, 13-21, 21-12 against Chen Yu Fei.

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Tai Tzu Ying has been very dominant against the Indian and enjoyed a 13-5 head to head record coming into the game. However, in big events such as the Olympics and the World Championships, Sindhu had always dominated her Chinese Taipei counterpart. The Indian shuttler got the better of Tai Tzu every time in big-ticket events. However, that was not the case to be in Tokyo.

Sindhu started slowly but picked up the momentum to take an early 8-4 lead, picking up five consecutive points. The Word No 1 reduced the deficit with some fine smashes. The first set was tied at 18-18 before a terrific drop shot got Tai Tzu Ying into the lead in the first set which she won 21-18.

Sindhu needed a win in the second set to stay alive in the game. Both players were spot on with their shots with little to separate the duo at the start of second set. However, Tai Tzu Ying was very assured with her shots and got Sindhu under pressure after taking a three-point lead at 4-7. The Chinese Taipei dominated the rest of the game as Sindhu lost the set 12-21.