Ashmita Chaliha. (BAI Media/ Twitter)
Its Saina vs Sindhu in Women’s Single Final
Guwahati, February 15 (MExN): Assamese sensation Ashmita Chaliha’s prodigious run at the 83rd Yonex-Sunrise Senior Badminton Nationals came to an end on Friday as she went down fighting against Olympic medallist PV Sindhu.
A game down, Ashmita fought back valiantly egged on by the local crowd, but the top seeded Olympic silver medallist Sindhu was far too experienced campaigner and halted the gutsy run, to enter the final.
Eventually, the match ended 21-10, 22-20 in favour of Sindhu.
On Thursday, the 19-year old Ashmita, seeded fourth at the tournament, after recovered from a game down to beat Aakarshi Kashyap 16-21, 21-17, 21-19 the semifinals. Sindhu had an easy outing as she defeated Riya Mookerjee 21-16, 21-7 to progress to the semis.
In the other semi finals, former champions Saina Nehwal notched up a clinical win against Vaishnavi Bhale.
The No 2 seed Saina was dominant throughout the match and defeated Bhale 21-15, 21-14 to book a finals clash with Sindhu on Saturday, February 16.
While Saina has won the title in 2006, 2007 and 2018, Sindhu clinched the trophy twice, in 2011 and 2013.
“It will be just another match and I don’t think it will help me for All England, I will just look to focus and give my best,” Sindhu said about the final.
Two-time former champion Sourabh Varma, 26, too sealed his spot in the men’s singles final after beating Mumbai’s Kaushal Dharmamer 21-14 21-17 in 44 minutes.
