Shuttler Sindhu claims Macau Open hat-trick

Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu overcame Japanese Minatsu Mitani 21-9, 21-23, 21-14 to complete a hat-trick of Macau Open Grand Prix Gold women's singles title at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion here on Sunday.

In the final of the $120,000 event, fifth seeded Sindhu took an hour and six minutes to fend off sixth seeded Minatsu's challenge. With this win, the Hyderabadi also levelled the career head-to-head record to one-all.

Double World Championship bronze medallist Sindhu was in her elements from the beginning as she raced to a 5-1 lead that increased to 11-4 and later 16-5. Finally, the 20-year-old won 21-9.

World No.18 Minatsu came determined in the second game as she took the control even though world No.12 Sindhu pulled things back for a 7-4 advantage.

Minatsu improved her game and came out with couple of winners to hold the 11-9 lead at the break.

Even though Sindhu was not far behind -- equalising at 16-16 but Minatsu had the better game as she prevailed 23-21 in a see-saw battle.

In the decider, Sindhu got her acts together, mixing with caution and aggression. She unleashed an array delightful strokes to run away with the 9-3 lead that went up to 11-7 at the change of ends.

Then the 20-year-old Indian bagged three consecutive points that enhanced her advantage to seven points. Minatsu was average on line judgments that cost her the next couple of points and it allowed Sindhu to build up the lead.

Even though the Japanese battled hard to save three match points, it was a matter of formality for Sindhu, who pocketed the third game 21-14 and with this, the match.