PV Sindhu vs Nozomi Okuhara Live: Okuhara Wins 21-18, 21-8
Catch all the live updates from the Japan Open pre-quarterfinal match between PV Sindhu and Nozomi Okuhara.
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PV Sindhu Goes Down in 2 Games
This PV Sindhu vs Nozomi Okuhara, unfortunately didn’t live up to its expectations. The first game was a hard-fought one, but Sindhu just couldn’t find any way to negate Okuhara’s strategy in the second game.
Okuhara seemed very calm and collective while going through her process, but Sindhu kept making unforced errors.
There was no looking back for Okuhara, once she took a 10-4 lead in the second game. She kept flighting her serves and Sindhu kept finding the net in most of the rallies.
Eventually, Okuhara won the match 21-18, 21-8.
Okuhara Finds the Perfect Smash Again
Okuhara latches onto a Sindhu return and smashes it on her forehand side. After a couple of desperate returns, Okuhara dispatches the shuttle.
PV Sindhu Seems to Have No Answers
Okuhara is in complete control of the match. She flights her serve high once again, this time Sindhu hits the shuttle long on Okuhara’s forehand side.
Okuhara leads 14-5.
Cross Court Smash by Okuhara
Sindhu serves at a flat angle just above the net, Okuhara returns through her forehand in the same angle for sometime, until she forces Sindhu to return it at a height for Okuhara to find the perfect cross court smash.
Okuhara leads 10-4!
Okuhara Leads 8-2
This match is going from bad to worse for Sindhu. Okuhara flights her serve again, Sindhu is just not able to dispatch the shuttle.
The Indiann hits the net again to concede a 2-8 lead.
Okuhara Takes a 5-1 Lead
Okuhara is running away with the match at the moment. The Japanese is moving around the court brilliantly to reach any shuttle thrown her away.
In the meantime, Sindhu has making costing errors at the net.
Okuhara Wins the First Game 21-18
Okuhara has drawn first blood in this pre-quarterfinal encounter. Okuhara has a definite plan in place. She is either trying to force Sindhu to make an error by flighting her serves or take control of the rally with some deadly body smashes.
Okuhara’s Flighted Serves
Okuhara has been flighting her service very well today. Sindhu is looking for the smash, but keeps finding the net instead.
Okuhara Makes a Costly Error
Okuhara should have returned the shuttle with ease but instead hit it on the net. She didn’t seem to find the energy for the shot.
Sindhu leads 18-16.
PV Sindhu Wins 4 Consecutive Points
This match is a typical Sindhu-Okuhara match. Sindhu was losing 15-12, but now Sindhu has taken the lead at 16-15.
Okuhara Takes a 3-Point Lead
Okuhara produces a stunning body smash to take the lead at 14-11. Okuhara first flighted her serve to the maximum and then set up a smash beautifully.
PV Sindhu Messes Up a Drop Shot
Sindhu’s smash put Okuhara on the back foot and therefore Okuhara just lightly returned the shuttle over the net, Sindhu tries for the drop shot, but isn’t able to get it over the net.
Sindhu leads 11-10.
PV Sindhu Leads 10-9
It looks like as if Okuhara has figured out the perfect angle. Again she manages to drop the shuttle far away from Sindhu’s forehand.
It’s 10-9 to the Indian though.
Okuhara Fights Back
Okuhara is not going let this one go easily. She has fought back to make it 8-8!
Sindhu flights the shuttle and Okuhara smashed the shuttle on Sindhu’s forehand side.
PV Sindhu Leads 6-2
PV Sindhu has runaway with a 6-2 lead in this quarter-final! Sindhu flights her serve to set up a smashing return in this very short rally!
It’s Pre-Quarters Time
Good afternoon!
Welcome to the live coverage of the Japan Open second round match between PV Sindhu and Nozomi Okuhara.
PV Sindhu and Nozomi Okuhara meet again, but this time not in the final, but in the pre-quarters.
The duo have played out two gruelling finals at the World Championships and the Korea Open respectively.
Okuhara managed to get the better of Sindhu at the World Championships, while the Indian badminton star clinched the Korea Open title.
It’s the clash of the titans yet again, but Okuhara has the home crowd behind her this time. Can Sindhu defeat Okuhara?
Catch all the live updates here.
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