New Delhi [India], Feb 5: A great battle come to an end as Chinese and an American of Chinese descent swept the honors on the final day. After Shi Yuqi won the men's singles title to become the first Chinese to do so in the India Open, Beiwan Zhang taught PV Sindhu such a bitter lesson that she refused to attend the customary after the match press meet on Sunday evening. For Sindhu, it was her sixth loss in a final since her Olympic silver, to go with two title wins.
Sindhu kept hopes alive till the very end but Zhang looked destined to write a beautiful story of her own. Having already scalped Saina Nehwal on Friday, she upstaged Sindhu 21-18, 11-21, 22-20 to win her first Tour title to fulfil a long cherished dream.
"I wanted to win a tour title this year," the world No. 11 had said after her quarterfinal victory over Saina. That she could tilt the tightly-fought final game on Sunday her way, is something she would savour for long. "It is the best moment of my career," the 27-old Zhang said after matching the world No. 4 point for point.
"I used the smash more than usual to quell Sindhu, who seemed to be under a lot of pressure. She was playing in front of the home crowd. I had nothing to lose," said a beaming Zhang, before rushing off to catch the earliest flight out. PV Sindhu show a gutsy performance against Zhang. But unfortunately for Sindhu, Zhang was the best person last night.
