Sindhu overcomes slow start to enter second round of Worlds

The 2019 world champion beats Bulgaria’s Nalbantova in the first round after close first game

- Sandip Sikdar

Walking into the Adidas Arena on Tuesday, PV Sindhu didn’t know what to expect in her BWF World Championships opener against Bulgarian Kaloyana Nalbantova.

Ranked No.69 in the world, the 19-year-old is a relatively unknown entity on the circuit who has just started playing at the senior level, coming froma country with no pedigree in badminton.

But what transpired in the next few minutes will ensure Sindhu remembers her teenaged opponent for some time to come. At5 feet 9 inches —almost as tall as Sindhu - Nalbantova unleashed excellent shots against the former world champion as she threatened to take the opening game off Sindhu. However, experience came into play as Sindhu saved two game points before winning 23-21, 21-6 in Paris.

‘A two-time European junior champion, Nalbantova used the element of surprise to rattle Sindhu at the start to go 4-0 up. The Bulgarian was quick off the blocks, attacking Sindhu’s serve and using her height to smash her way to a 12-7 lead against a player who has dominated the tournament in the past decade with five medals, including a gold (2019).