P.V. Sindhu on Wednesday cruised to the second round of the 2019 China Open with a straight-game win over Chinese Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui. In a match that lasted 34 minutes, Sindhu beat Li Xuerui 21-18, 21-12 to reach the second round where she will face either Thailand”s Pompawee Chonchuwong or Canada”s Michelle Li.
Sindhu took a four-point lead first up before Li fought back to get the first game level at 9-9. After the interval, Sindhu took control of the game. Although Li managed to save four game points in the end, Sindhu took the game 21-18.
Li started the second game on the front foot. Sindhu was trailing 6-2 at one point but once the reigning world champion got into her groove, there was no looking back. Sindhu raced into the lead and ended up winning the second game by a comfortable margin of nine points.