Breaking the ‘Chinese Wall’: Sindhu shows India the way!
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Li Xuerui, Yihan Wang and now Shixian Wang... this is perhaps just the beginning for PV Sindhu, as she went on to demolish yet another Chinese in a game which is considered to be their stronghold. In her brief badminton career, Sindhu has achieved what players of her generation might not be able to do in their lifetime.
By beating the World No. 8, Sindhu became the first Indian singles player after badminton legend Prakash Padukone to grab a medal at the World Championships, and that too in her very first appearance. Even as her more illustrious compatriot Saina Nehwal bowed out in the quarterfinals, the hope of whole of India now rests on the 18-year-old Hyderabadi, who has blossomed under the able tutelage of legendary Pullela Gopichand. The challenge for the shuttler now is to exceed the expectations and have a crack at the gold.
What is worth noticing about Sindhu's game is her ability to raise her performance when facing a Chinese opponent! Considering the domination of Chinese players in this sport, Sindhu has done it exceedingly well to beat some of the more fancied and higher ranked shuttlers in her short career.
Yihan, her pre-quarters opponent, had beaten her in their previous encounter in Sudirman Cup mixed team championship. Despite a dodgy knee, Sindhu came out of that match with her pride intact as she pushed the defending champion to the third game. And in the World Championships, she left Yihan to tatters by sending her packing in straight games.
Shixian, her quarterfinal opponent, had no chance as Sindhu edged past 21-18, 21-17 in straight games. It's been Sindhu's determination that has made her mentally tough to face higher-ranked opponent and go past them with ease now.
Anecdotes say Sindhu reported to coaching camps daily on time despite travelling 56 km from her residence. It's been her hard work and dedication that she showed in her younger days that is reaping success now.
And Sindhu's success against the Chinese players will definitely rub on her other well-known colleagues who will be motivated by Sindhu's example to break China’s invincibility in badminton.
Now, with title in sight, the biggest hurdle in Sindhu’s way would be the shuttler herself, as doubts might creep in while nearing the finishing line. But considering the work ethics she has endured in her younger days, Sindhu looks 'mentally tough' to go all the way.
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