BWF World Tour Finals, women’s singles semifinal: PV Sindhu takes on Akane Yamaguchi

PV Sindhu 21-15, 10-11 Akane Yamaguchi: Oh amazing defence from Akane! A body smash from Sindhu is converted into a winner by the Japanese star. Wow. What reflex.

PV Sindhu 21-15, 10-10 Akane Yamaguchi: You could hear Sindhu sighing heavily as the shuttle lands in at the backcourt. She then pulls off a brilliant whipped forehand crosscourt winner. That was fantastic to watch, mid-air from Sindhu.

PV Sindhu 21-15, 7-8 Akane Yamaguchi: Yamaguchi starting to find the lines now… punch-clears and the straight smashes are starting to land in. Sindhu can’t afford to relax here as Yamaguchi goes from 2-5 to 8-6. And then a much-needed point for Sindhu, a brilliant crosscourt smash that leaves AY on the court.

PV Sindhu 21-15, 6-4 Akane Yamaguchi: AY having some success with punch clears to the back court from the far side now. Seems to have a better hang of the drift from that side. But as I say that, sends another lift wide.

PV Sindhu 21-15, 4-2 Akane Yamaguchi: The second game starts off with one of the longer rallies we have seen so far, went Sindhu’s way. Points exchanged for 2-2, and then Sindhu with two really up-tempo points to keep AY on the…

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