PV Sindhu scored one of the greatest triumphs of his career when dazed champion London Olympics Li Xuerui of China to enter the quarterfinals of the World Badminton Championships in Jakarta on Thursday. The 11th head series Sindhu upset third seed Li 21-17 14-21 21-17 in a pulsating contest that lasts 50 minutes.
Meanwhile, second seed Saina Nehwal kept alive hopes for her inaugural podium at the world championship by beating 14th seed Japanese Sayaka Takahashi 21-18, 21-14 in 46 minutes.
It was a come-from-behind win for Saina, who recovered brilliantly 7-0 in the first game. In a neck and neck competition – it was 18 to 18 at a time – Saina won the important points when it mattered.
Sayaka has always been a tough opponent for Saina. In the world championships in Copenhagen last year, Saina had won three sets and Thursday, the second game saw a seesaw battle with both players locked at 13-13. But Saina best craftsmanship helped cut away to a seven-point victory (21-14). Saina is likely to sixth Chinese Wang Yihan favorite face in Round 8. (Kidambi Srikanth Advances in the World Badminton Championships)
Sindhu has two bronze medals and world championship is on the line of another. The Hyderabad girl comes from a long injury layoff and looked in good touch this week.
The drawing will be harder for Sindhu hereafter. If he wins his quarter-final Sindhu could be playing either top seed and All England champion Carolina Marin or seventh Chinese favorite Wang Shixian. Carolina of Spain has also made the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 21-11, 18-21, 21-17 against Yu Po Pai Taipei.
Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponappa Progress for Quarters
In women’s doubles, the team of 13 Indian Head series of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa got the better of eighth-seeded Japanese duo Reika Kakiiwa and Miyuki Maeda 21-15, 18-21 and 21-19 to enter the quarterfinals . The match that lasted nearly an hour was a thriller with Indian couple holding their nerve to finish.
