Sindhu fails to fightback; loses Hong Kong final in straight sets
- Sindhu lost to Chinese Tai Tzu Ying 21-15, 21-17 in Hong Kong final.
- Had Sindhu won, it would have been her back to back Super Series title.
- Sindhu recently beat Ying at the Rio Olympics 2016.
The World No. 9 went down in straight sets, 21-15, 21-17 to China's Tai Tzu Ying in a contest that lasted for only 41 minutes.
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With this win, Ying who lost to Sindhu recently at the Rio Olympics now leads 5-3 in the head-to-head record against the Indian shuttler.
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Read more:Â Sindhu wins maiden Super Series Premier title
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World No. 3 and fourth seed Tzu Ying was in command of the match from the first game itself and produced a near-perfect all-round performance to be ahead 18-11.
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She maintained the lead and grabbed the opening game without much of trouble. The Indian, on the other hand, was found wanting in her net-play against a swift-moving rival.
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The second game was fought neck to neck almost all the time before Sindhu once again struggled to match the speed and range of Tzu Ying's stroke-play. Tzu Ying's ability to retrieve almost everything that Sindhu threw at her stood out. The Taipei girl's deft use of her wrist to control her shots was also admirable.
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However, Sindhu was in no mood to give up and the scores once again equalled at 10-10.
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The Indian took the lead at 11-10 when Tzu Ying mishit a smash which landed outside. But Tzu Ying drew level and took the lead soon after the lemon break. The Indian's much-admired never-say-die spirit kept her afloat for a couple of more points but her inability to break free proved to be the difference.