Commonwealth Games 2022: India’s sporting icon PV Sindhu clinched the Commonwealth singles gold with a straight-game win over Canada’s Michelle Lee in the final here on Monday.
India’s world number 7 defeated her 13th-ranked rival 21-15, 21-13 in front of a packed crowd at the NEC grounds.
The 30-year-old had to offer something special for her first win in eight years against Sindhu, but the Indian did not give her a chance.
Sindhu was clinical in her small game and swung at the slightest of attacking opportunities.
Mitchell defeated the 2019 World Champion at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.
In the first game, Mitchell was trying to score points by playing closer to the net while Sindhu was more aggressive.
A smash to the left of Lee made it 7-5, before the Canadian went 7-6 ahead with a drop shot to Sindhu’s right.
Sindhu took three consecutive points after the interval to take a 14-8 lead. Michelle then nets a regulation forehand drop, making her smile in despair.
Mitchell came up with two consecutive backhand winners for 14-17, but Sindhu secured the first game with a swat shot to Kandian’s body.
The Hyderabadi pulled off a brilliant comeback from her body to take a 4-2 lead in the second and was taking an 11-6 lead at the interval.
The crowd sensed the return of Mitchell, who won the longest rally of the match with a forehand winner. Sindhu however closed the door for her and secured a decent win with a cross court winner.
Sindhu said after the final, “I was waiting for this gold for a long time and finally I got it. I am very happy. Thanks to the crowd, they got me the win today.”