It’s no rocket science that PV Sindhu should play Tai Tzu Ying like the way she played her in Set 2 of her semifinal of the Malaysian Open. Take the early initiative and a balloon lead, and then stalk her like a persistent fly till the finishing tape. But all variables considered, it is two points in Set 3 that might point a way towards creating an opening to solve the puzzle of how to beat the world’s best player. Saturday went in valiant vain, as the Chinese Taipei opponent won 21-15, 19-21, 21-11. But there are pointers going forward.
Body language is a big piece of Sindhu’s own puzzle, but her greatest defiance against Tai Tzu comes from compulsive retrieving, which always unsteadies the talented stroke maker.
Just before her five point plateau at score 8 in the decider, Sindhu would hare around the court picking every shuttle coming her way and draw out an impish error. More of that regularly which is easier said than done will be crucial in deciders especially, given Tai Tzu remains in a hurry to wrap things up.
But what can really set the proverbial cat among pigeons is out-stroking the masterly stroke player. Briefly after pinning her to the backcourt from where she was to set off her lunge either straight or cross, Sindhu had Tai Tzu stuttering a tad when she extended for a low pickup at her forehand net and flicked it in a net-hugging curve parabola to the other end of the pole. Tai had misread it, expecting straight instead of cross. The net pick-n-flick, a last second flap of the wrist instead of toss up, won Sindhu the point and shook Tai a little. But Sindhu needed stronger followups in subsequent points to have a chance.
