Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V. Sindhu’s maiden China Open title and her subsequent runners-up finish at the Hong Kong Open, helped her gain two spots to the No.7 spot in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) women’s singles rankings.

Sindhu, who skipped the ongoing Macau Open, has now assured herself a spot in the year-ending BWF Superseries Final in Dubai from December 14 to 18. Only the top-8 shuttlers are allowed to take part in the Superseries Final.

There was also good news for London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, who clawed back to the top-10 of women’s singles. The Hyderabadi rose one spot to the No.10 position in the rankings.

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The women’s singles rankings saw considerable changes in the top three, with Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying clinching the top spot after her Hong Kong Open title.

Rio gold medallist Carolina Marin of Spain lost a spot to the No.2 position while Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon also fell one rung to No.3.

In men’s singles, Indian shuttler Sameer Verma’s runner-up show at the Hong Kong Open was rewarded with a leap of 13 spots to No.30 while Kidambi Srikanth fell one spot to No.13 in the list led by Malaysian veteran Lee Chong Wei.

Among others, Hong Kong Open winner Ng Ka Long Angus vaulted five places to enter the top-10 and is now at No.9 spot.

IANS

India’s top-ranked women’s shuttler P.V. Sindhu was pleased with her performance at the Hong Kong Open despite losing in the final and insisted it was just not her day.

Sindhu lost to Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei 15-21, 17-21 in the final.

Verma, in his maiden Superseries final, lost to local Ng Ka Long Angus 14-21, 21-10, 11-21 at the Hong Kong Coliseum in a 50-minute battle. Verma defeated third ranked Dane Jan O Jorgensen in the semi-final.

Speaking after the match, Sindhu said, “It was a good game overall. It was her day. I played well but she played well at the net, she didn’t make any mistakes. There were good rallies. I’m happy with my performance. It’s okay, I’ll go back and train hard. A bit upset, but overall it went well. I congratulate her for the win,”

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“I’ve played her many times. She’s a tricky player, has good strokes and deception. I was prepared for everything. But then one has to win and one has to lose. I was confident because of that. I played the final here. It was anybody’s game. It was her day, she played well.”

Men’s World No.43 Sameer Verma also finished runners-up but said his maiden final appearance boosted his confidence. He will now target a place in the top 10.

Verma, in his maiden Superseries final, lost to local Ng Ka Long Angus 14-21, 21-10, 11-21 in a 50-minute battle.

“I am happy to reach final, didn’t expect to. While playing him, in second game I was ready to move him around the court. I got a bit tired in the third game after 11 points. Before the final, I was a bit nervous,” he said.

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“I felt a bit of pressure today, but now now I’m confident of making the top 10. I felt tensed because it’s my first final. I talked to (brother) Saurabh yesterday.”

“I won the national title in April. I was very confident then of playing at top level. After nationals I got a shoulder injury and had to take a break of 2-3 months. It was a shoulder muscle tear. The shoulder injury affected me. After my comeback I played Thailand and Chinese Taipei,” he added.

IANS

He played like a man possessed. Sameer Verma chased down everything and surprised the world no. 3 Jan O Jorgensen with his agility, a crafty net game and acute angles from back of the court. The 21-19, 23-21 straight games win puts Sameer in his maiden Super Series final; as he becomes only the third Indian man to do so.

Sindhu on a roll

Meanwhile P V Sindhu is on a roll. After winning the China Open, the Olympic silver medallist brushed off local girl Ngan Yi Cheung in straight games 21-14, 21-16 in 46 minutes at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Big leap for Sameer Verma
22 year old Sameer, playing in his maiden Super Series semifinal,  began well, pulling ahead 7-1 in the opening game but Jorgensen managed to get on top of the flat exchanges to level the score. But Sameer refused to get overawe by his higher ranked opponent and pocked the first game 21-19.

In the second, playing against the drift, Jorgensen raced to a 7-1 lead and then had three game points at 20-17. But held his nerve and played some his best badminton to win the match 21-19, 23-21.

Brilliant Sindhu wins China Open, bags maiden Superseries title

P V Sindhu: World No.1 is ultimate goal

Sameer is the reigning National champion and is currently ranked 43rd in the world.