PV Sindhu crushes Kirsty Gilmour to win Malaysia Masters crown

Shuttler P.V. Sindhu continued her rampaging run to clinch the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold title with a straight-game win over Scotland’s Kristy Gilmour in Penang on Sunday.

The third-seeded Indian prevailed 21-15, 21-9 in a 32-minute clash to clinch her fifth Grand Prix Gold title to avenge a 2013 loss to the Scot, their only previous encounter before the day’s match.

This is also Sindhu’s second Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold title, having earlier won it in 2013. She also completed a hat-trick at the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold in November last year.

Sindhu, who had an unbeaten streak at the Premier Badminton League, produced a dominating performance as she showed better court coverage and produced some delectable serves and strokes to outclass her opponent in the summit clash.

In the opening game, Sindhu made early strides moving to 5-2 and then sped away with her superior game plan. The Indian had a healthy 12-6 lead which she increased to 18-10.

The world no. 20 Scot, on the other hand, reeled off four straight points but could never threaten Sindhu who closed the game without much effort. Sindhu produced some awesome smashes and caught the Scottish off-guard with her superior placements. She dominated the net and used her drop shots to bamboozle her rival.

In the second game, Sindhu once again opened up a slender 5-2 lead which was quickly erased by Gilmour. But the Indian then changed gears and moved to a 9-5 and then jumped to a huge 16-5 lead.

The Scottish shuttler tried in vain to narrow the gap but the Indian slammed the door on her opponent.