What has been promised for so long was finally delivered on Saturday, when fast-rising Hyderabad badminton star P.V. Sindhu clinched the Malaysia Grand Prix, defeating Juan Gu of Singapore 21-17, 17-21, 21-19 in a fiercely fought final.

“It is a very happy moment for all of us. We have been waiting for this day for so long,” said an ecstatic P.V. Ramana, Sindhu’s father, “This being her first senior title makes it a very special day for us.”

While the match was in progress in Kuala Lumpur, her family had to endure some very tense moments. Her father recounts, “She won the first game but her opponent won the second. Sindhu was then trailing 10-15 in the third game, when we lost the internet connection. We didn’t know what to do. We then got the news that she had won and when we spoke to her, all she could say was, ‘I just stood there, blank, not realising I had won.’ We are all on cloud nine!”

Reflected the same sentiment, Sindhu related, “It was a very taxing match. After I won the first game, Juan fought back really well to win the second. But the third game is one that I will remember for a long time. I was trailing 10-15, and for a moment, I was worried.”

Sindhu then fought back and made it 14-15. She then took the lead, and with Juan snapping at her heels, wrapped up the set 21-19 to win the title.

“I just froze on the court for a couple of minutes. I couldn’t believe I had won. Then it hit me and my first reaction was, ‘Oh my God! I’ve actually won!’”

Sindhu thanked her coach Edwin Iriawan, who had accompanied her to Malaysia, and the support staff for their encouragement. “It has been a great three weeks for me. I played the quarterfinals at Chinese Taipei (Badminton Asia Championships) and the semifinals in New Delhi (India Open Superseries) and now, I have won my first title.”

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Offbeat / by Vijay Anand – DC / May 06th, 2013