There's a reason PV Sindhu is considered the next queen of India badminton, and in Guangzhou, China on Friday she gave further proof of her rising star by dispatching of China's Wang Shixian to become the first Indian woman to enter the semi-finals of the BWF World Championships.
In doing so, also became the second Indian singles player - after Prakash Padukone - to assure herself of a medal at the prestigious tournament. Whether she settles for a bronze or becomes the first India to reach a World Championships final remains to be seen. And this is her first time at the tournament.
On a day that began with despair as India's hopes of a historic medal tally at the tournament took a beating with Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap both exiting at the quarter-final stage, Sindhu's success swung the mood of badminton fans. The 18-year-old from Hyderabad, who a day before created a big noise by ousting defending champion and second seed Yihan Wang 21-18 23-21 in 55 minutes to enter the quarter-finals, beat China's Wang Shixian to assure herself of a podium finish.
This soft-spoken protege of former India badminton star Pullela Gopichand has shown great promise for the last few years, beginning with a senior national title and few minor international tournaments. But what transpired in Guangzhou on Friday is a big achievement, and one that will be a milestone in Sindhu's promising career.
Like in 2012, when at the age of 17 she stunned Olympic gold medal winner Li Xuerui in the quarter-finals of the China Masters Super Series in front of a crowd of shocked Chinese fans. Or earlier this year, when she beat former no.1 Wang Shixiang at the 2013 Badminton Asia Championships. No wonder Sindhu has earned the moniker of 'Dragon Slayer'. The big wins over the ever-strong Chinese have added to her aura.
Padukone is considered India's best badminton player ever, having won a Commonwealth Games gold and becoming the country's first All England champion in 1980, but the likes of Saina and Sindhu, the daughter of former captain of Indian volleyball team, are leading the way for women in the modern era.
Next up, she will take on the winner of the match between Carolina Marin and Ratchanok Intanon in the last four round. History beckons for Sindhu. Will she rise to the occasion?
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