Defending world champion PV Sindhu of India stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics women's singles badminton event after beating Hong Kong's NY Cheung in Group J here on Wednesday. Rio Olympic silver medalist Sindhu defeated world number 34 Cheung 21-9, 21-16 in a 35-minute bout to top the group. This is Sindhu's sixth win in six matches against Cheung.
World No. 7 PV Sindhu will now face Denmark's World No. 12 Mia Blichfeldt in the pre-quarterfinals. PV Sindhu defeated Ksenia Polikarpova of Israel in her first match.
Sindhu troubled Cheung by running across the court with her varied shots and ability to change pace. Cheung's cross-court return earned some points but the Hong Kong player made simple mistakes that failed to put pressure on Sindhu.
Sindhu started well with the score 6-2 and then took a 10-3 lead. She was leading 11-5 at the break. After the break, Sindhu dominated her lead to 20-9 and won the first game with a shot from Cheung's net.
Cheung played better in the second game. She entangled Sindhu in the rally and both the players had 8-8 points. But Sidhu didn't succumb to pressure and won the set 21-16.
It has been five days since the Tokyo Olympics started but India has got only one medal so far. India's weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has won silver medal for India. India now has high hopes from PV Sindhu.