Double Olympic medallist
This result marks Sindhu's second final appearance in back-to-back weeks, following her runner-up finish at the French Open. The 31-year-old demonstrated her superior experience and technical range throughout the match, effectively neutralizing the challenge posed by the 19-year-old Kharb to maintain her unbeaten record against her younger compatriot.
Clinical Performance Secures Final Berth
The match began with Kharb showing early promise, briefly taking a 4-2 lead in the opening game as Sindhu adjusted to the drift and depth of the court. However, the momentum shifted quickly once the senior player found her rhythm. Sindhu utilized a combination of precise net play and aggressive attacking strokes to overhaul the deficit, heading into the mid-game interval with an 11-9 advantage.
Following the break, Sindhu accelerated away, extending her lead to 15-10. Her control over the rallies forced errors from the teenager, and Sindhu comfortably closed out the first game, converting her first game point after Kharb sent a return long.
Maintaining Composure Under Pressure
The second game followed a similar pattern, with Kharb again attempting to dictate the early exchanges. The youngster briefly held a 9-8 lead, but Sindhu’s ability to maintain consistency under pressure proved decisive. Despite a brief period where Kharb moved ahead 15-13, Sindhu remained unfazed, leveling the score at 15-15 following a series of unforced errors from her opponent.
From that point, Sindhu took control of the closing stages. A well-executed drop shot gave her a 17-15 lead, and she capitalized on further errors from the world No. 53 to earn four match points. She sealed the victory with a precise return to the back of the court, ending the contest in just over half an hour. Following the conclusion of the women's singles semifinal, attention turned to the men's draw, where Lakshya Sen was scheduled to face France's Toma Junior Popov.
