PBL 3 Tie 15: Sindhu stars over World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying

PV Sindhu ended Tai Tzu run in the most awaited match on Saturday with 15-11, 10-15, 15-12 and led Chennai Smashers to a 2-1 win over Ahmedabad Smash Masters in Premier Badminton League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.

Previously, Sindhu got past the World No. 1 Taiwanese Tai Tzu Ying at the Rio Olympics pre-quarters. Later, the Indian was defeated by the Taiwanese at few tournaments including the 2017 Hong Kong Open finals.

The Indian pulled off the revenge at the PBL after reverting with the lucky points as the opponent buried with an unforced errors in the second game and the decider, while, Carolina Marin from stands took video of what had been witnessed.

Tai, who is known for her deceptive stroke shots, strode straight towards the lead in the first game as Sindhu found it hard to return her opponents forehand flicks and smashes; Tai proved the worth of being the top shuttler in the world. After the break, she drew level with a forehand cross court smash from the baseline and from there on, Sindhu cruised. Even after winning a 26-shot rally with a forehand winner, Tai Tzu could not contain her opponent and the Indian won the game to thunderous applause from the crowd.

Tai Tzu came all guns blazing in the second game and went into the break with a slender lead. It seemed that Sindhu was losing steam as she committed two unforced errors and Tai Tzu took advantage to make sure the match went into a deciding game.

Sindhu came back with renewed enthusiasm but Tai Tzu once again pulled out impossible shots from her armoury to rattle Sindhu. The Indian put up a fight and collected two early points but Tai Tzu went ahead 4-3 after she won a 41-shot rally with a crosscourt backhand. But Sindhu kept on fighting and took a 8-6 lead at the break. Tai restored parity at 12-12 with a backhand down the line shot on Sindhu's body. The crowd went delirious as Sindhu wrapped up the match after two back-to-back unforced errors from Tai Tzu.

However, Sourabh Verma dished out a gritty game to shock world no 24 Brice Leverdez of France 12-15 15-14 15-12 in Chennai's Trump match to make it 2-0 in their favour with two matches still to go in the five-match tie.