Dubai World Super Series Finals: Akane Yamaguchi beats PV Sindhu to bag title

Dubai: Akane Yamaguchi of Japan beat PV Sindhu in the women’s singles final to win the 2017 Dubai World Superseries Finals in Dubai on Sunday. After losing the first game to the Indian shuttler by 21-15, the world no.2 registered an incredible comeback to take home the title.

Sindhu dominated the first game throughout as she kept Yamaguchi one the backfoot and didn’t allow her a sniff. The script did not change much in the first half of the second game as Sindhu lead the charge before Yamaguchi brought her A-game to the fore. Few long rallies, drop-shots, cross-court smashes, it was all there for the crowd to see. Drawing at 8 all, the Japanese sealed the second game by 21-12!

The final one was a treat as both the shuttlers fought neck to neck, with Sindhu keeping herself into the contest, despite throwing away her lead at times. A few wrong judgements from Sindhu allowed Yamaguchi the advantage, which she grabbed by both hands.

Previously, the Japanese shuttler thrashed Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 17-21, 21-12, 21-19 to make her way into the semis.

Game 3: Yamaguchi wins 21-19

Game over! Yamaguchi has a broad smile on her face. What a contest it has been! Sindhu's dream of her first BWF Dubai World Super Series title is still incomplete.

Match point for Yamaguchi! Sindhu miscues her drop-shot.

Another nerve-wrecking tie! Are y'all on edge of your seats?

Neck to neck and it's 18 all now! A beautiful drop shot from Sindhu sees her back into the game.

17-17! Sindhu draws level after losing a 2 point lead. Great determination from the lone Indian survivor!

2 point lead for Yamaguchi! The world no.2 has used her court positioning to good advantage.

15 all!

What a point for Sindhu! Another long rally and both shuttlers in the hunt. But Sindhu take the lead again after making Yamaguchi strech low. The Japanese in lying on the court panting!

Sindhu is dejected as the game draws level at 13 all! Who will take home the prize?

Yamaguchi once again makes a comeback into the game. She has mixed her shots well and thus, dominated the tempo. Sindhu leads 13-12 by a point

Sindhu leads 11-8 at the break!

Sindhu displays her grit, takes a 3 point lead in no time. 10-7 to Sindhu now!

8-6 to Sindhu! Gopichand is charged up.

5 all! Yamaguchi catches Sindhu napping and follows it up with a light cross touch. Game on!

The Japanese reduces the deficit by one points. 4-3!

Sindhu 3-0! A long rally in the final game and Yamaguchi throws it away with a heavy smash, that lands outside the court.

Game 2: Yamaguchi bags game 2 at 21-12!

Yamaguchi leads the fightback. She kept Sindhu guessing all this while and is close to bagging the 2nd game.

A deft touch and Sindhu falls short. Yamaguchi continues to lead at 15-11

Yamaguchi leads 11-9 in the break! Can she make her way back into the game?

10-8 to Yamaguchi! The World no. 2 looks like she really wants it. Goes down on her knees a couple of times to stay in the game. Finally bags the point after Sindhu misjudges her response.

What a comeback, 8 all! A long rally from both the shuttlers ends in Yamaguchi drawing level with a fierce smash!

8-5 to Sindhu! The Indian shuttler leaves a straight smash from her opponent that land just a few inches behind. Good judgement!

The crowd goes Sindhu, Sindhu! Few words of advice from coach P Gopichand.

6-2 to Sindhu! The Japanese fights back with 2 points and almost makes it 5-3 before her cross-court smash lands just wide of the line.

Sindhu takes over from where she left, gathers a 4-0 lead over her opponent!

Game 1: PV Sindhu wins 21-15

Game and 21-15 to Sindhu! Complete dominance from the 22-year-old. Bags the first game with a trademark smash! Yamaguchi will need to up her game if she needs to draw level.

20-13! Sindhu leads the charge. The Japanase hasn't showed the kind of fightback she delivered in the initial minutes. Game point.

17-13 to Sindhu now. Yamaguchi has had to answers to Sindhu's long smashes. Just when the Indian looks out of the game, she keeps getting back.

3 big points for Yamaguchi! The Japanese has now reduced the deficit by just a point. Sindhu looks exhausted.

Sindhu continues to grow strong in the game. Gets a 4 point lead playing her natural game. 14-11!

Sindhu leads 11-8 at the break. What a comeback from the Indian after going down 5-7 at one point. She has used the width and height to good advantage in the contest!

Sindhu has cleverly made her comeback after two points down. Tied at 8-8 now!

4-2 to Yamaguchi. The Japanese has slowly started to dominate her game.

Sindhu opens her account in style.

Sindhu is welcome by a loud applause from the crowd!

Dubai: Hopes of the nation rest on the shoulders of PV Sindhu, the lone Indian survivor at the 2017 Dubai World Superseries Finals, as she locks horns with Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the summit clash of the women's singles.

Sindhu, who made her way into the finals after defeating China’s Chen Yufei 21-15, 21-18 in straight games will be aware of the threats her opponent possesses. The Japanese shuttler thrashed Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon 17-21, 21-12, 21-19 in another semifinal.

The 22-year-old previously outplayed Yamaguchi comfortably by 21-9, 21-13 in straight games during the group stages, but will have to replicate the same performance in order to lift her first Dubai World Superseries title.

World No.3 Sindhu’s journey to the semis has been a cakewalk as the shuttler has dominated her opponents. However, she will aim to end the year on a good note. In 2017, the lanky Indian shuttler has won two Super Series events and a silver in the BWF World Championships.