When it comes to the World No.1 women’s shuttler An Se Young, India’s best player PV Sindhu has always been found wanting. Call it technique, pressure, or just pure jinx, Sindhu has never found herself to be in control against her South Korean opponent. And Thursday was no different, as the 28-year-old was embarrassed once more, this time at the All England Championships second round.
Sindhu vs An Se Young
Sindhu lost in straight games 21-19, 21-11, in what looked like a one-sided encounter. After winning her first round match against Germany’s Yvonne Li, she ceased to progress in the competition. All this, despite Sindhu starting off well in the first game, where led 4-1 at a point. But from there on there was a sudden shift in the momentum as An took the lead at 17-12.
Come the second game, Sindhu’s hopes of making a comeback were thwarted when her opponent took a 10-4 lead in the beginning. And from there on, it became a one-sided affair with Sindhu facing a heavy defeat.
Meanwhile, this her eight defeat in as many meetings. That means, no matter what, Sindhu has consistently failed to deliver against An. This is something she would have to work upon before the Olympics, given, she is all but through. As far as the other shuttlers are concerned, Lakshya Sen will play his second round match against Anders Antonsen later in the day, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty will be in action too.