COOL AS ICE-SCREAM: Marin was letting out piercingly loud primal screams for almost every point. Looked like she was taking Gopichand's advice to Sindhu to heart. Might have been initial big-game jitters but most people chew their nails when they’re nervous.
RALLYING FOR MAXIMUM: The two women shared some tenacious rallies, neither willing to give up or give in. One ridiculously dogged rally stretched up to 52 shots. At the same time, some were blindingly short and sharp, swift rapid-fire exchanges.
COURT OF FLAW: Marin made Sindhu work very hard, sending her running to the back of the court, then drawing her forward and laterally with angular pushes. This kind of working-out naturally forced some errors. Marin seemed to have a very keen sense of the lines, as she kept attacking them. But later, as her ambition rose, she overshot a few lofts long.
HULK SMASH: Sindhu was pumped as she took the first game, coming from behind, with a brilliant acute slap that beat Marin for speed. Sindhu didn’t bring out her smash all that often, but when she did it was invariably lethal. Makes you wonder if it was diffidence that did her in…
GOTTA HAND IT TO HER: Marin had a mean backhand push, one that would fall steeply downwards at Sindhu's feet. She also had an uncanny forehand slice, devious drifters that would dip and veer away from Sindhu’s extending racquet.
SPIRIT OF SPORTS: An elated Marin brokedown upon defeating her Indian rival. Sindhu too was upset over her loss. But she quickly came over it and walked up to Marin patted her back and congratulated her. The duo exchanged hugs.
