PV Sindhu was dominated by Spain's Carolina Marin in the Badminton World Championships final on Sunday.
A gold medal at the Badminton World Championships continued to elude Indian ace shuttler PV Sindhu as she was dominated by Spain's Carolina Marin in Sunday's showpiece encounter.
Having lost the 2017 final to Nozomi Okuhara of Japan, who Sindhu defeated in the semi-final to book her spot against Marin, the current World No.3, who has twice finished second (2017 and 2018) twice finished third (2013 and 2014) at the World Championships was eyeing the chance to become the first Indian woman to win the competition.
However, the Spaniard, who also limited Sindhu to the silver medal at the Rio Olympics, stretched her advantage in their head-to-head record to 7-5 by recording a 21-19, 21-10 win to become the first woman to win the World Championship gold medal thrice.
This wasn't the first time Sindhu has lost a major final in her career. The 23-year-old has often been accused of wilting under pressure when it matters most. That argument doesn't lack merit, here are seven big finals that Sindhu has lost.
1. Rio Olympics Final 2016
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It was a match that hurts Indian fans to date. Sindhu had taken the country by storm as she carved her way through to the final, however, Carolina Marin edged her on that day 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 in a classic battle.
(Image: AFP)
2. World Championships Final 2017
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Sindhu was the favourite going into the final against Nozomi Okuhara as she had beaten the Japanese in their two previous meetings. Okihara, though, played out of her skin to defeat Sindhu 19-21, 22-20, 20-22 in one of the all-time great matches.
(Image: Reuters)
3. Dubai Super Series Final 2017
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In yet another final defeat, and against yet another Japanese player, Sindhu lost 21-15, 12-21, 19-21 to then World No.2 Akane Yamaguchi.
(Image: AFP)
4. Hong Kong Open Final 2017
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Sindhu came up against World No.1 Tai Tzu Ying in the final for the second year in a row, and for the second time the Indian finished runner-up. The Taiwanese improved her record against the Indian to 8-3 with 18-21, 18-21 victory.
(Image: AFP)
5. All England Championship Semi-Final 2018
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In one the most prestigious tournaments in badminton, Sindhu did exceedingly well to reach the semis. But her journey was cut short by familiar foe Akane Yamaguchi who defeated her 19-21, 21-19, 21-18 in a gripping clash.
(Image: Reuters)
6. Commonwealth Games Final 2018
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In a dream final for Indian fans, Saina Nehwal went toe-to-toe with Sindhu for gold. In a bit of an anti-climax, though, Nehwal ran away with the match in straight games - 21-18, 23-21.
(Image: PTI)
7. World Championships 2018
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Marin stretched her advantage in the head-to-head record against Sindhu to 7-5 by recording a 21-19, 21-10 win to become the first woman to win the World Championship gold medal thrice.
(Image: PTI)
