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Sindhu enters All England semifinalsThis was Sindhu's first win in last four meetings with Yamaguchi
PTI
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Sindhu, seeded fifth, staged a remarkable comeback after losing the opening game. Credit: AFP Photo
Sindhu, seeded fifth, staged a remarkable comeback after losing the opening game. Credit: AFP Photo

Reigning world champion P V Sindhu returned to form with a thrilling win over Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in an intriguing women's singles quarterfinals of the prestigious All England Championships here.

Sindhu, seeded fifth, staged a remarkable comeback after losing the opening game to notch up a 16-21 21-16 21-19 win over Yamaguchi in a pulsating contest that lasted an hour and 16 minutes to make only her second semifinals appearance at All England.

The Indian had come into the match with a 10-7 head-to-head count against the Japanese even though she had lost the last three meetings.

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This was Sindhu's first win in last four meetings with Yamaguchi.

"I am playing against her after quite a long time, I think 2019. We haven't played at all. I'm sure she would have trained very hard. Today's match was a good, tough long match I would say," Sindhu said.

"In the first game I was making a lot of errors and hitting them out because I was on the side with the stronger drift. The second game, it was in my favour. A lot of long rallies. It was important to get that second game.

"In the third game, it was very crucial. My coach was very supportive, he was making sure I controlled the shuttle well. Each point was very important. Overall, it was anybody's game but I am happy to be on the winning side."

The Olympic silver medallist will face Thailand's sixth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong for a place in the final. The Indian has an overwhelming 4-1 lead against the world No. 11 Thai.

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(Published 20 March 2021, 09:56 IST)