Sindhu, who’s slipped to No 13 in the rankings, had suffered a third career loss against the phenomenally talented and extremely mercurial Tai Tzu at the Taipei Open in July. But on Thursday, the lanky Indian moved well on court and frustrated her opponent, a compulsive stroke-player, with a display of persistent defense picking everything, while drawing out the errors.
“She had a lot of flicks, and is a good stroke player. I’d lost to her in our last match, but today I didn’t get caught up in her traps. I was moving well and read her perfectly,” Sindhu said.
Tai Tzu has the widest array of strokes in women’s singles currently, but is prone to erratic play. Sindhu, who has matured past her own phase of up-and-down play, stayed composed while entering her first Super Series quarterfinal since having reached the same stage at Denmark last year.
In the quarters, she meets familiar foe – China’s resurgent former World Champ Yihan Wang. Sindhu had famously beaten the tall Chinese on way to her first World Championship quarterfinal, but has lost thrice since, including a 72 minute first round loss at Australia in June this year.
Sindhu still in pursuit of her first Super Series title, reckons her game’s good right now, and she stands a good chance against Yihan. “We’ve played a lot before, and I know I can beat her. Let’s see, it’s tough, but I’m feeling good.”
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