PV Sindhu put in a dominating performance to completely outclass her Chinese opponent and march into the women's singles final at the World Badminton Championships being held in Glasgow. Sindhu destroyed Chen Yufei of China 21-13, 21-10 on Saturday night in a match lasting just 48 minutes, thereby assuring herself of at least a silver medal. Sindhu had won the bronze at the World Championships in 2013 and 2014. Meanwhile, in the day's first semi-final, Saina Nehwal bowed out of the tournament after losing 21-17, 12-21, 10-21 to her Japanese opponent Nozomi Okuhara. Despite the loss, Saina took home a bronze medal. The London Olympic bronze medallist dominated her opponent in the first game, wrapping it in just 22 minutes. However, Okuhara had other plans as she did not allow Saina to settle in the second game. The Indian star fought hard to keep her herself alive in the all-important third game but Okuhara proved to be a tough nut to crack and easily won the final game to deny Saina a place in the final.
Highlights of the BWF World Championships Women's Singles semi-final at Glasgow.
02:50 IST: Thanks for joining our coverage today. Do join us for the final tomorrow.
02:45 IST: It's over!! Sindhu is through to the women's singles final and thereby has assured herself of a maiden World Championship silver. Historic moment for the Indian!
02:44 IST: Sindhu wins the match 21-13, 21-10!
02:42 IST: Sindhu just 3 points away from qualifying for the final
02:40 IST: Brilliant net play from Yufei. She hasn't given up just yet. Sindhu, though, will surely not relinquish this lead.
02:37 IST: Nothing going right for Yufei. She trails 5-16.
02:34 IST: Another brilliant cross-court smash from Sindhu to take a 14-3 lead.
02:33: What domination from PV Sindhu! Chen Yufei has been left high and dry. She leads 13-2.
02:28 IST: Finally the Chinese shuttler gets on the board in the 2nd game. But Sindhu leads 8-1.
02:26 IST: Sindhu on fire! She has opened up a 7-0 lead in the 2nd game.
02:23 IST: Sindhu is playing superbly today. She leads 3-0 in the 2nd game.
02:20 IST: Sindhu wins the 1st game of the semi-final against Chen Yufei 21-13.
02:18 IST: Great judgement from Sindhu, just two points away from winning the first game.
02:15 IST: Sindhu is running away with the 1st game, she leads 18-11.
02:13 IST: Back to back points for the Chinese. But Sindhu still leads 15-11.
02:11 IST: Sindhu's powerful smashes are really hurting Chen Yufei, she now leads 13-8
02:09 IST: At the mid-game break, PV Sindhu leads Chen Yufei 11-8
02:03 IST: Powerful cross-court shot gives Sindhu a much-needed point.
02:02 IST: Poor judgement call from Sindhu gives Yufei a two-point lead.
02:00 IST: Chinese shuttler shows great defensive skills to deny Sindhu a point. Yufei leads 4-3
01:59 IST: Brilliant play from Sindhu, she draws level at 3-3.
01:57 IST: PV Sindhu wins the 1st point of the semi-final against Chen Yufei.
01:56 IST: Here we go!! Chen Yufei will serve first
01:53 IST: The two players are on the court.
01:50 IST: Time for Sindhu to take centrestage.
01:48 IST: Meanwhile, China's Liu Cheng and Zhang Nan have defeated compatriots Chai Biao and Hong Wei to reach the men's doubles final.
01:30 IST: Not too long left for the much-awaited women's singles semi-final between Sindhu and Chen Yufei.