IBL: Saina outclasses Sindhu to win their maiden encounter

FILE PHOTO: Saina Nehwal was challenged in the first game by P V Sindhu but smashed her way in the second

After waiting for nearly two years, Indian badminton finally got the match it so dearly wanted. The two big stars of Indian badminton finally came face to face for the first time.

Playing in the IBL match between Hyderabad Hotshots and Awadhe Warriors, Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu played a gripping match to entertain their growing band of fans.

After making a slow start, Saina edged past her teenaged opponent in the first game before taking complete control in the second. The Hotshots star took the point with a 21-19, 21-8 victory over the 18-year-old Sindhu in 40 minutes.

The early run of play had Sindhu drawing errors off Saina’s backhand to take the front seat. At 7-4, it appeared that the world No.10 could spring a surprise on her senior opponent. Sindhu flicked a forehand just out of Saina’s reach to stay in the lead at 11-9. Saina miscued a backhand to allow Sindhu an easy smash for a 14-10 advantage as the players took a second break.

After the break, Saina arrested the tempo of Sindhu by stretching her in the forecourt to gain the elevation needed to attack her opponent. After Saina deceived Sindhu with a brilliant kill at the net to take the lead, Sindhu turned aggressor again to make a couple of smashes to stay even at 17-17.

Saina used a sharp angled forehand to get within two points of the first game. An overeager Sindhu made a meal of a simple forehand smash to offer game point to Saina. Sindhu stayed alive by winning the next point at 20-19. At the second time of asking, Saina gained control of the next rally, using her raw power to subdue Sindhu and take the first game.

FILE PHOTO: Saina Nehwal vs PV Sindhu – a new rivalry in the making?

After an even start to the second game, Saina made a move at 3-3. The world No. 4 outfoxed her opponent around the court to take a handy 6-3 lead. The first breather came with Saina in the driver’s seat at 7-4.

Saina cramped the 18-year-old for space, going straight at her to edge ahead 9-5. The gap grew to seven points when Sindhu netted a backhand before missing another routine forehand. Sindhu failed to take advantage of her serve at 6-12, with Saina producing a smash winner to claw ahead 13-6.

Sindhu was erring frequently in reading the lines, and another error helped the top ranked Indian to 15-6. Saina pressed Sindhu to her backhand corner to draw an error and take a ten point lead at 17-7.

When Sindhu dropped the bird into the net off her forehand, Saina was two points away from a deserving victory. The 18-year-old offered match point to Saina, floating a backhand into the net, and the Icon player of the Hotshots took it immediately with another thundering smash down the middle to end the match. Saina’s victory gave the Hotshots a formidable 2-0 lead against the Warriors.

It was an entertaining encounter that fizzled out a little after an intense first game. Sindhu put up a spirited effort, but in a match of two halves, it was Saina who eventually had the measure of her younger opponent.

But there was enough evidence to suggest that this could prove to be an engaging rivalry for many years to come.