SINDHU CLINCHES MALAYSIA MASTERS TITLE

Penang (Malaysia), Scottish shuttler Kirsty Gilmour proved no match for India’s P.V. Sindhu who needed just 32 minutes to crush her opponent in the women’s singles final and seal her second $120,000 Malaysia Masters title at the Spice Stadium here on Sunday.

Third seed Sindhu, who had also won the Grand Prix Gold tournament here in 2013, provided herself a great start to the year by winning the summit clash 21-15, 21-9 to pocket $9,000 as prize money. This is Sindhu’s second title in three tournaments after she also clinched the Macau Open crown last year in November.

This was the World No.12 Indian’s first win over Kirsty in two meetings, having lost their previous encounter at the 2013 French Open. Kirsty bagged $4,560 for finishing as runner-up.

Though the Scottish World No.20 gave a good fight to the 20-year-old Indian, Sindhu managed to go in the lead at the start of the first game. She not just maintained but extended the lead constantly throughout the game which lasted a quarter of an hour.

Kirsty looked as if she was fighting back in the second game till 5-all but Sindhu got into the rhythm to win 11 of the next 12 points played to go ahead by 16-6. It was only a matter of time before the Hyderabadi sealed the game and match in her favour in 18 minutes.

Sindhu wasted one championship point but on the next one, the Scot’s service fell short to hand the Indian the title. Sindhu’s hands went up in the air in elation. She went and hugged national coach Madhumita Bisht, who was sitting in her corner before standing on the top step of the podium.

The double World Championship bronze medallist was easily the better player of the two, winning 42 of the 66 points played in the match. Her reach and net play proved far better than her opponent’s, which won her the crown with ease.