New Delhi: PV Sindhu's remarkable performance at the ongoing Rio Olympics has lifted the sagging spirits of the Indian contingent.
The Hyderabad girl's giant-killing act in Rio has suddenly re-ignited India's hopes for first medal.
After slaying defending silver medalist Wang Yihan in the quarter-final, Sindhu faces a very different challenge in the semis.
Sindhu's display against the World No. 2 did not come as a surprise to those who have tracked her career closely.
Time and again, the Indian has beaten more fancied opponents at big tournaments. However the failure to beat the less celebrated ones has been her undoing until now.
In the semis, she is up against Nozomi Okuhara - one of the most low-profile and efficient players on the women's badminton circuit.
Others in the fray for a gold medal are Spain's Carolina Marin and China's Li Xuerui. Hence facing Okhura at this stage of the tournament could be ideal.
But can Sindhu churn out yet another solid performance against Okuhara?
Here is everything you need to know about the Sindhu's semi-final opponent:
- Nozomi is currently ranked 6th in the world.
- In 2016, she featured in 29 singles contests - winning 21 and losing 8.
- Overall, the 21-year-old has played 221 singles matches - winning 165 and losing 56.
- Nozomi has dominated her previous duels against Sindhu. The head-to-head record is 3-1 in favor of the Japanese.
- The Indian's only win against Nozomi came in 2012 at the Asia Youth U-19 championships.
- Nozomi's last win over the 21-year-old was at the Happening Hyderabad Badminton Asia Team championships 2016.
- Interestingly, all their four previous battles have been decided in three games.
