Sindhu loses India Open summit clash

Defending champion P.V. Sindhu lost a closely-fought women's singles final to United States' Zhang Beiwen at the India Open series at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Sunday.

The Rio Olympics silver medallist lost to the fifth-seeded Chinese-American, 18-21, 21-11, 20-22.

Right from the first set, both the players fought for each point. However, Zhang's forehand drives proved quite deceptive for Sindhu as she lost the first set by three points.

In the second set, an aggressive Sindhu staged a strong comeback as she took an early lead. She delivered a barrage of attacking shots with variation to surge ahead against Zhang and enforce a decider. She won 21-11.

In the third and last set, the Chinese-American shuttler zipped past Sindhu with some impressively delivered net-shots to put the Rio Olympics silver medallist under pressure.

Sindhu fought back and gained five to six points soon as the score read from 11-9 in the mid-break to 16-15. She smashed her way right back into the game to level the score at 19-19.

However, Zhang had the last laugh as she played some impressive shots under pressure to ultimately, win the last and the game 22-20.

This was the fifth meeting between the Rio Olympics silver medallist Sindhu and Zhang.

World No. 4 Sindhu defeated third seed Ratchanok Inthanon, 21-13, 21-15 earlier in the semi-finals on Saturday.

She also defeated Beatriz Corrales of Spain, 21-12, 19-21, 21-11, in the quarter-finals of the Women Singles.

The Chinese-American shuttler outplayed ace shuttler Saina Nehwal, 10-21, 13-21, in straight games in the quarter-finals on Friday.