SAINA NEHWAL – RTN asia

India's ace shuttler PV Sindhu is in top form in her match against the World No.1 at the Australian Open being held at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney. The Indian player, who will turn 22 next month, took just 15 minutes to finish the first game of her quarter final by taking 21 points, against just 10 by Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan. She was leading 13-10 in the second game. The match is decided on the basis of the 'best of three' rule. Tai Tzu-ying is arguably the best female player of badminton in the world, and is noted for her ability to 'disguise' her shots and for the extreme precision of her shots. The Taiwanese player has won all her last 27 matches, and not losing a single match since late last year. She's also won half a dozen tournaments in this period. However, Sindhu -- who is 1.79 m tall -- overcame Tzu-ying's disguised shots with her sheer athleticism and reach. Carolina Marin, who beat Sindhu in the Olympic final last year, is no longer in the Australian open after she lost to the world No. 3 player in her first-round match. OTHER INDIANS Meanwhile, it could end up an all Indian final if Saina Nehwal also manages to get through to her match Yu S of China that will start in about two hours. Two Indian male players, K Srikanth and Praneeth BS, also entered the quarter finals of the Australian Open, but were pitted against each other. The game was won by Srikanth in straight sets. Srikanth will play Shin Y of China in the semi final tomorrow. Unlike in tennis, India doesn't have a strong contingent in doubles in badminton. Indian players, who were always good at finishing in the last four at major tournaments, have started clinching some of the world titles in recent weeks. The entry of famous Indonesian coach Mulyo Handoyo, who was roped in to assist Pullela Gopichand, is reported to have made a lot of difference to the Indian players.

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PV Sindhu set to beat World No.1 Tai Tzu-ying in Australian Open