Carolina Marin stamps class as the World No.1

Carolina Marin stamped her class as the world no 1 to win the Womens singles crown in badminton at Rio.

PV Sindhu played fearlessly but her higher ranked opponent came back from a game down to win the 3 game contest 19-21, 21-12, 21-15.

Sindhu thus became the first Indian badminton player to win the silver medal in Badminton.

She lost the match but won hearts with her superlative display of courage and made Marin huff and puff to the podium.

The world no 1 from Spain Carolina Marin in Red taking on Billion hopes PV Sindhu in the opening game with the crowd clearly cheering every move.

The tension in both camps was visible with both players trying to play to their strenghts. Marin maintained the lead throughout the game but Sindhu never let the Spanish opponent to take a big lead.

Unforced errors from Marin came at the wrong juncture as Sindhu cut down the lead to 2 points.

A service fault from Marin from the world champion helped Sindhu find the range to play a 52 shot rally to come close and trail by just one point at 16-17.

Marin took the next two points to hit 19-16 and two steps from the opening game. Sindhu showed character to move from defensive to offensive in a flash to first draw level at 19-19.

She surged ahead at 20-19 to get her first shot at winning the opening game and wasted no time to win the game 21-19.

The Indian took the last 5 points to clinch the first game.

Caroline brought pace in the 2nd game and did not let Sindhu settle down and opened a 11-2 in the break.

Sindhu tried to pull things back but Marin opened a 8 point advantage to lead at 20-12.

The Spanish world no 1 did not make any mistake and closed the game 21-12 to draw level at one game all.

Marin brought some wristwork and placement to the table to open a 5-1 lead in the 3rd game. The Spaniard took a 5-point lead at 9-4.

The crowd got right behind Sindhu and clawed back to win the next four points to come close at 9-8. The fist pumps and the roar from either ends came louder.

as Sindhu drew level at 10 all. The Indian had now won 6 of the last 7 points. At the half-way mark, Marin has a slim advantage at 11-10.

It was a show stopper and the cracking deciding game. Marin opened the 4 point lead to reach 14-10 with just 7 points standing between the Spaniard and the gold Medal.

Sindhu walked up to Gopichand and the mineral water doze and the pep talk helped her cut down Marin's lead to 4 points.

Marin was cool and absorbing the pressure situation while Sindhu cracked under pressure to lose the game and match 19-21, 21-12, 21-15. Sindhu failed to cross the final hurdle but the Indian won hearts with her gritty performance in Rio and people watching all across the globe.

Sindhu colapsed to the court in defeat while Marin's jump and fist pump and a silent prayer showed she was drained to the last drop to win the gold medal.

(BK)