It is a fight for the gold, and P.V. Sindhu says she is focused and prepared to give her 100 per cent on court.
Not overtly happy about her execution, and underplaying the flurry of the last 11 points in a dream climax against Okuhara Nozomi of Japan in the semifinals, the 21-year-old Sindhu maintained that every match was different, and every strategy based on the player across the net.
“It is my first Olympics, and the target is to win the gold,” declared Sindhu, with assurance.
“I don’t think it was an easy match. We had long rallies and I managed to win the two crucial points from 19-19 in the first game. In the second game also, it was equal at 10-10 and I took a break at 11. I was tapping into the net, but my coach told me not to worry and keep going,” said Sindhu.
Happy to ensure the second medal, Sindhu praised Sakshi Malik for the bronze medal in women’s wrestling.
“I congratulated her. I had watched the match on television. She fought well. It was a great thing for us,” said Sindhu, happy that someone had at last opened the medal tally for India.
“I didn’t think this far at the start. The immediate target was to just look at the next match,” said Sindhu, with a disarming smile.
Appreciating left-hander Carolina Marin for her fluent performance against Li Xeurui of China, Sindhu said she would discuss the strategy with coach P. Gopi Chand, and attempt to execute it on court.
Watch Sindhu's family rejoice her win:
