World Badminton Championship 2014: Marin's Feisty Flamenco Stumps Sindhu
World Badminton Championship 2014: Marin's Feisty Flamenco Stumps Sindhu
Indian badminton player P. V. Sindhu had to settle for the bronze at the World Badminton Championship in Denmark's Copenhagen. This is because Spanish player Carolina Marin's amazing footwork and die-hard spirit proved to be too much of a challenge for Sindhu. India's Saina Nehwal had already faced an ouster earlier. Sindhu won the women's singles quarter final with her valiant spirit and strong moves. But Marin had fireworks in store for her in the semi-final match. The fiery Spaniard won the semi-final match very easily in straight games.
But Sindhu has reason to celebrate as she is the first Indian player to clinch two medals at this important sporting event. The 11th seeded player also won the bronze last year at Guangzhou. Sindhu made it to the final four in the World Badminton Championship this time as well.
At the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen, ninth-seeded Marin had her paella and ate it too. With skills and a never-say-die spirit, Marin matched Sindhu for every master stroke. She played the 47 minute match winning the contest 21-17,21-15 in a move that upset Sindhu's quest for the final victory this year.
Carolina started the match on a triumphant note gaining a 6-2 lead. 19 year old Sindhu did not take this lying down. The Indian shuttler went on to new heights for getting the next 6 points and gaining the lead, using her tall stature to the maximum advantage.
But 21 year old Carolina Marin was not going to back down either. She evened up the match by the break and regained her confidence. She used her clever shots to drive the point home. She caught Sindhu off-guard and went on to call the shots (as well as hit them) in a match that was made in hell for the Indian shuttler.
When Marin reached 18-11, Sindhu made a brave effort to hit back again but no avail. She barely had a fighting chance once the Spaniard had taken the lead after making short work of her. She closed the game in a winning manner within minutes after that.
The Spanish player was also very vocal in her triumph. Having played the winning shots, she would shout out her joy leaving Sindhu battling hard. The Indian shuttler struggled to find her voice but failed in the face of the challenge that refused to back down.
Carolina was also a leftie and this may have proved a sea change for Sindhu who had only battled right handed players in the match so far. Sindhu tried to retrieve what was left of the match as she fought to the very last minute, but Marin's menacing shots found their mark.
The Indian player will now have to wait another year before she can have another shot at the gold. If it's any consolation, Indians are proud of her bronze triumph for now and wish her better fortune in the coming matches.
