PV Sindhu vs Tai Tzu-Ying, Tokyo Olympics Live Score: Sindhu loses game 1 in Badminton Women’s Singles Semifinal

SET 1- Tai-Tzu Ying wins 21-18

[Scores read- Sindhu-Tai]

0-2 A good start from Tai. A drop shot to draw Sindhu forward and then a forehand drive at Sindhu’s body to win the point

1-2: The Indian is off the mark as Tai nets her return

3-3: WHAT A POINT! The first long rally of the match. Tai’s lift is returned with the forehand, crosscourt drop by Sindhu. Tai dives on the backhand side to return it but nets it

4-3: Sindhu into the lead. A smash from Tai down the line on the forehand and Sindhu taps the shuttle into open area near the net on the other side of the court.

5-3: Simple put away for Tai. A poor return means Tai latches onto the birdie and smashes it home.

7-3: Tai nets her return

8-4: Tai hits the shuttle wide and challenges. She loses her first one as the replay showed it was wide.

8-5: Unlucky! A flat exchange at the net and Sindhu outsmarts Tai by anticipating her movement but her drive falls wide.

9-6: LUCKY this time! A long rally ends with Sindhu’s forehand down the line smash clipping the top of the net and falling over.

9-7: Lovely follow-up from Tai. A forehand smash along the line, opens the backhand court of Sindhu and then a backhand half-smash to finish the point.

10-8: A brilliant backhand crosscourt drop shot from the net. No chance for Sindhu there.

11-8: Tai’s forehand crosscourt lift drifts wide. Sindhu leads at the interval

11-9: Power and placement from Tai as she reduces the deficit.

11-10: WHAT A DROPSHOT! On the jump and from over her head, Tai plays a delightful drop and forces Sindhu with a loose return and then follows it up with a half smash that Sindhu si unable to return on her backhand

11-11 SHE IS LEVEL, IS TAI! Error in judgment from Sindhu as she lets a lift from Tai fall inside the line.

12-12: Following an error from Tai, Sindhu makes one of her own. An overhead crosscourt lift on the forehand drags wide of the sideline.

12-13: Lucky for Tai but she will take it. Tai’s service return grazes the net tip and falls in empty space.

13-13: Sindhu lets out a huge roar as Tai’s forehand smash rams into the net.

14-13: A great backhand from Tai down the line and she looks to do it again but nets it instead.

14-14: Another lovely rally and this time, Tai lunges forward and drives the ball hard at Sindhu’s body. Third time today that Tai has won a point this way. Good ploy that seems to be working

15-14: Good pace from Sindhu. Reaches the return early and guides the drop shot cross court. Tai’s desperate lunge is ineffective as she nets the return.

16-14: A cheap point for Sindhu. Tai’s forehand smash down the line falls just wide of the sideline.

16-15: GREAT DECEPTION! She tees up to smash and Sindhu stations herself deep in the court. Tai then plays a deceptive drop and Sindhu was never going to return that.

16-16: THIS IS THE CLASS OF THE WORLD NO.1! a flurry of shots to Sindhu’s backhand and then with a wild backlift, Tai pulled out a cross-court drop shot.

17-16: This time, Tai’s forehand drop ends up in the net

17-17: HOW DID SINDHU KEEP IT GOING? Oh, wow! Sindhu was second best throughout the rally and yet, Sindhu showed great defense. Eventually, Tai smashes one at Sindhu’s body from the net to win the point.

17-18: TAI into the lead. A lucky net fall as her forehand slice clips the nettop and falls over.

18-18: Into the corner. A brave return from Sindhu and she finds the far corner.

18-19: This is scintillating badminton. Once again, a sumptuous drop to Sindhu’ backhand and Sindhu knew Tai was going to smash it home the next point.

18-20: Two game points for Tai as Sindhu nets her forehand

18-21: A SMASH DOWN THE LINE AND SHE WINS GAME 1