New Delhi: A title has eluded PV Sindhu this season despite three summit appearances but the Indian ace said Wednesday she is undeterred by the heartbreak and will aim for a fresh start and title glory in the upcoming World Championships (WC) in China and the Asian Games in Indonesia.
In the six finals she played in 2017, Sindhu won three, but lost in the finals of the World Championships, Hong Kong Open and Dubai Super Series. This year too she has lost in the summit clash of the India Open, the Commonwealth Games and the Thailand Open. This has prompted many critics describe her as the ‘perennial bridesmaid’ and has also earned her the tag of a ‘choker’.
“I know sometimes I have been losing in the finals. See there are always negatives and positives,” Sindhu told this agency. “It doesn’t bother me, because coming to the finals is the next best thing to winning, I mean losing in the first and second round is much worse, reaching the finals means anything can happen.”
The 23-year-old youngster will be leaving with the Indian team Saturday for the World Championships in Nanjing, beginning July 30.
“I really want to do well in the World Championship as well as the Asian Games that follow. It is going to be a tough draw in the World Championships, so I can’t take it easy,” Sindhu pointed out.
Her epic final against Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara at Glasgow last year went down as one of the greatest matches of all time. Sindhu might have to upstage the defending champion if she wants to progress deep into the tournament as the two are drawn to meet in the quarterfinals.
“I know everyone is talking about the Nozomi match. But I can’t afford to think so far ahead. Before that there is Sung Ji Hyun, who is not an easy player. Recently I have lost to her in Asia Badminton Championships, I can’t take her easy. So that round would be equally important,” stated the Hyderabadi.
Sindhu had played Nozomi in the finals of Thailand Open last week and she said it will help in her preparation if she needs to face her again in the World Championships.
“Yes (it helps), every time we have played, it has been competitive. She won at the Worlds, I won at Korea, then she beat me at Japan and I defeated her at the All England. So basically our game is equal and it is a matter of those crucial 2-3 points that has made a difference,” Sindhu pointed out.
“I am happy with the way I have been playing. In spite of losing three finals,
my overall game has improved. That is indeed very positive”PV Sindhu