India’s P V Sindhu clinched the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold title. She is a two-time World Championship bronze-medallist. She defeated Scotland’s Kristy Gilmour in straight games in the final on January 24. The third seeded Indian had lost to Gilmour in 2013 French Open. But now she showed why she is considered to be one of India’s most revered women’s singles shuttler as she avenged her loss with a dominating 21-15 21-9 win in a 32-minute clash to clinch her fifth Grand Prix Gold title.

This is her second Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold title, having won it in 2013 as well. She also completed a hat-trick at the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold in November last year. Sindhu, who had an unbeaten streak at the Premier Badminton League (PBL), produced a dominating performance as she showed better court coverage and cut down on her errors to defeat her opponent.

In the opening game, Sindhu had 5-2 and then sped away with her superior game plan. She had a healthy 12-6 lead which she increased to 18-10. The Scottish shuttler could never threaten Sindhu who closed the game without much effort. In the second game, Sindhu once again opened up a slender 5-2 lead which was quickly erased by Gilmour. But the Indian then changed gears and moved to a 9-5 and then jumped to a huge 16-5 lead. Gilmour tried in vain to narrow the gap but the Indian slammed the door on her rival.

 Bolster Your Knowledge Base 

Revered means feel deep respect or admiration for something
Slender means barely sufficient in amount or basis
Slammed means shut (a door, window, or lid) forcefully and loudly