Impressive PV Sindhu enters Malaysian Grand Prix Gold final

New Delhi: India's badminton star PV Sindhu on Saturday entered the final of the 2016 Malaysia Grand Prix with a 21-19 12-21 21-10 win over Sung Ji-Hyun.

The 20-year-old battled hard to keep the South Korean at bay in the first game, while the latter was back to her dominating best in the second.

However, Sindhu made sure there was no upset in the decider, winning it quite convincingly.

Congrats @Pvsindhu1 on reaching the finals of Malaysia Masters Grand PrixI am sure you will do ur best and make Ind proudGood luck — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 23, 2016

The world number 12 Indian thus put herself on course for a fifth Grand Prix Gold event. She had won the same tournament in 2013 before bagging three more Grand Prix Gold tournament titles at the Macau Open (2013, 2014 and 2015).

The two rivals had a 2-2 head-to-head record before today's meeting and they opened the first set neck-and-neck till they tied at 11-all.

From there, Sindhu nosed ahead by winning seven straight points. The Korean fought back but Sindhu did not let the advantage slip by as the Indian took the first set 21-19.

Sindhu, however, could not continue with the momentum in the second set as she played catch-up against Sung. The Indian narrowed down the gap in the score to just one point at 10-11 but from there she lost concentration and allowed the Korean to win seven straight points to concede the second set rather tamely at 12-21.

But Sindhu saved the best for the last as she played brilliant badminton in the deciding set. She led all through the decider after 3-all. From there on, Sindhu won seven straight points to leave Sung far behind and maintained the lead to win the decider 21-10 and wrap up the match.

(With PTI inputs)