PV Sindhu is hoping to make home advantage count as she faces arch-rival Carolina Marin of Spain in a replay of the Rio Olympics final in the title clash of the ongoing India Open in New Delhi on Sunday.
Sindhu feels her fitness and the support of the home crowd will hand her the edge.
“All I can say is it will be good match as we know each other’s strong and weak points,” said Sindhu, ranked fifth in the world rankings.
“We met for the first time at the Rio Olympics, and she denied me the gold medal,” Sindhu said after reaching the final.
“We also played in the Premier Badminton League, but it was a 11-points (per game) match, not a true reflection of fitness. But the final will be different. Since I will have the home advantage, it should give me the upper hand.”
Marin, who has played in the Premier Badminton League, is well aware of the conditions in India, having played many matches in front of a boisterous crowd.
“Over a period of time, her fan following has increased in the country. Definitely they will support her on Sunday. Let’s see, we will chalk out a strategy to win.”
Sindhu had beaten South Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun 21-18, 14-21, 21-14 in a gruelling three-game encounter. By contrast, Marin thumped Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-16 21-14 in the other semi-final.
“All I can say is it will be an interesting match. I won’t reveal my strategy, otherwise Sindhu will get to know,” Marin quipped when asked about her strategy for the title clash.
This will be the 10th occasion when Sindhu and Marin square-off at an international event. The Spaniard leads the head to head with five wins including the final of the Rio Olympics in August last year, where Sindhu had to settle for silver.
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