Defending champion P V Sindhu stumbled on the threshold of glory once again, suffering yet another narrow defeat in a pulsating final, this time against

American Beiwen Zhang to finish runner-up at the India Open Super 500 tournament on Sunday.

Playing her second tournament of the new season, Sindhu came agonisingly close to clinching the title before losing 18-21 21-11 20-22 to Zhang at the Siri Fort

Sports Complex.

It was Sindhu’s fourth loss in a major final in the 2017-2018, which includes defeats at World Championship, Hong Kong Open and Dubai Super Series Final

last year. Sindhu always played long matches against Zhang—all of them going to the decider and it was no different as the duo engaged in a fierce battle of

supremacy till the last point. Sindhu had won twice and lost once at the Indonesia Super Series Premier last year against the American. She, however, looked a

little rusty early on today as Zhang grabbed an early 3-0 lead.

The American then netted a shot and also hit wide as the Indian made it 3-3. Zhang moved to 5-4 but Sindhu unleashed a smash to draw level. A couple of

smashes by Zhang helped her to open a three point lead but a tight net dribble and then a return at her rivals forecourt saw Sindhu again draw level. At the

break, Sindhu had a slender two point advantage after Zhang hit out twice.

After the interval, Zhang drew parity at 12-12 following a miscued shot near the net by Sindhu. The duo moved neck and neck till 15-15. Zhang then produced a

smash which left Sindhu flat on the court. The American grabbed another point to again open up a two point lead, before leading 19-16.

Sindhu won a video referral next and Zhang then misjudged a return at the forecourt as the Indian narrowed the margin to 18-19. But Sindhu’s return went wide

twice as Zhang pocketed the opening game.

In the second game, Sindhu changed gears and zoomed to a 8-2 lead early on, riding on unforced errors by her rival. Sindhu then hit out and netted her return

as Zhang grabbed two points but the American struggled with a net return and hit wide as Sindhu grabbed a 11-4 lead at the mid game interval.

Sindhu tried to counter her opponent’s acute angled strokes with better court coverage and pushed Zhang to make too many unforced errors to lose the second

game. In the end, it was a beautiful drop which helped Sindhu reach 20-11 and she roared back to the contest after Zhang hit out again.

In the decider, Zhang and Sindhu split the initial eight points before the American unleashed two smashes on both the flanks and then produced a precise return

on the line to lead 9-4. At the breather, Zhang managed to hold 11-9 advantage.

After the lemon break, Zhang hit out twice to allow Sindhu to draw level again. The lead changed hands too frequently as the duo reached 14-14. Sindhu tried to

place the shuttle in difficult positions and reached 15-14 after producing a smash but a weak return next gave the lead to Zhang.

With Sindhu also sending a forehand return wide, Zhang opened up a two point lead at 18-16. But Sindhu again clawed her way back at 19-19 by punishing

Zhang for a poor return and pushing the shuttle at the back after leaving her opponent out of position.

A tight net play followed by a smash helped the Indian grab a crucial match point at 20-19. But an anxious Sindhu again faltered with a weak return and Zhang

then unleashed a smash to turn the tables.

Earlier, All England Championships finalist and fourth seed Shi Yuqi of China walked away with the men’s singles crown after beating world no 7 and third

seeded Taiwanese Chou Tien Chen 21-18 21-14 in a 47-minute duel. Fifth seeded Danish combo of Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen prevailed

21-14 21-15 over Indonesian pair of Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti in a 37-minute match to claim the mixed doubles crown, their first title

together.