- Carolina Marin has beaten PV Sindhu 21-19, 21-10 in the women’s singles final at the Badminton World Championships
- Marin is the first women’s player to win three World Championship golds
- This is Sindhu’s second silver medal in as many years after she lost the final in 2017 as well.
Marin Wins The Final
Match point for Marin and she’s serving from the right side of the court. Sindhu’s backhanded return goes long and that’s the end of the match.
Marin screams out loud and is down on her knees. She kisses the court and celebrates becoming the first-ever women’s badminton player to win three World Championship gold medals.
21-19, 21-10 is the final scoreline.
This is Sindhu’s second straight silver in as many years.
Game 2: Marin Leads 16-4
“There is a real sense of inevitability about this now,” is what the television commentators are saying as Marin is racing to her third World Championship title.
Sindhu had a chunk of the lead in the first game but from the moment Marin started her fightback, she’s managed to maintain the momentum and is looking set for a win here.
The Indian third seed has been in three finals this year but failed to finish on top of the podium each time. So, does this then earn her a ‘choker’ reputation? No, say the commentators. “It is just that she, on the day, meets an opponent who is playing simply great badminton.”
Game 2: Marin Races to 8-2 Lead
Much quicker and much more accurate of the two players on court is Carolina Marin right now. The former two-time champion races to an 8-2 lead in the second game.
Sindhu needs to start her fightback now if she’s to have any chance in this match.
Marin Wins Game 1
Players are tied at 18-18 in the first game when Marin once again pulls ahead, this one leads right into the clincher.
It’s Marin’s serve and Sindhu is cautioned for time wasting and the point that follows sees yet another long rally with Sindhu being caught on the wrong foot. She’s leaning to her right when Marin’s return lands one foot to her left. 19-18 to Marin.
Marin serving again and invites Sindhu to the net. The India’s backhanded reply though flies wide off the cross court. 20-18 Marin and game point.
Sindhu manages to save one game point when her reply is to the back end of the court, Marin leaves it for out, but it’s not. 20-19 to Marin.
Sindhu’s serve and Marin smashes one from the back end of the court. Sindhu receives it on her right but the return only has enough life to reach the net and bounce back onto her side of the court.
Game 1 to Marin 21-19.