Highlights, Dubai World Superseries Finals: Viktor Axelsen successfully defends title; gritty Sindhu loses final to Yamaguchi

Viktor Axelsen defends his #DubaiSSF title!

The Dane goes past Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei 21-19, 19-21, 21-15 and ends his 2017 on a high! 👏 pic.twitter.com/3DBTthGj2S

— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) December 17, 2017

The World No 1 @ViktorAxelsen successfully defends his title defeating the legendary #LeeChongWei 19-21, 21-15, 21-15 in 84 minutes
What a comeback by the young Dane to cap a phenomenal 2017
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF #ViktorAxelsen pic.twitter.com/9zypyd7e03

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

14-9! Viktor Axelsen holds on to his five point lead in the decider.

10-5! Axelsen has been dominating the opening moments of the decider and looks to be in fine nick to see this game through

4-1! Axelsen is using the opportunity gained from the decider and has opened up an early lead against Lee Chong Wei

A misjudgment by #LeeChongWei allows #ViktorAxelsen to win the 2nd game 21-19.
The men's singles Final is now into the decider
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF pic.twitter.com/6jL1WvfGXj

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

19-15! Axelsen has upped the ante in the second game. He is now two points away from enforcing a decider in the men’s singles Final

13-12! The four time champion is in the lead now and he seems to be in no mood to let this game into a decider.

11-10! As with the opening game, it is the defending champion Viktor Axelsen who goes into the mid-game break with a solitary point lead. Will he able to go all the way in this game and enforce a decider in the Final ?

8-8! After a delay at the court over discussions with the chair umpire over mopping the court, Axelsen manages to level the score in the opening game against Lee Chong Wei

7-6!  Lee Chong Wei still in the lead and Axelsen is not being able to take the lead in the game. For every point won by the Dane, the Malaysian returns the favour with a point of his own

6-4! What an excellently disguised drop shot by @LeeChongWei to take a 2 point lead in the 2nd game
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF pic.twitter.com/bILYMXnGcb

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

5-4! After winning three consecutive points, Axelsen slams that long to let Lee Chong Wei win the point and the serve

4-1! Lee Chong Wei has won four successive points to open an early lead. He has been excellent near the net so far.

1-0! What a backhand return from Viktor Axelsen to kick-start the second game

.@LeeChongWei wins 21-19 in 26 minutes of play. The #Legend goes one step closer to winning his fifth title. Will the defending champion enforce a decider?
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF pic.twitter.com/pBJAT8oFzw

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

It is 18-18! in the opening game of the men's singles final between @ViktorAxelsen and @LeeChongWei
It has been a roller-coaster of a match so far
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

15-15! That’s an unsuccessful referral from Viktor Axelsen. lee Chong Wei levels the scores in the opening game of the final

How good is Lee Chong Wei with those deceptions!?

Completely flummoxed Viktor to make it 13-14. #DubaiSSF

— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) December 17, 2017

11-10! Lee Chong Wei goes into the mid game break with one point advantage. The Malaysian was trailing 3-7 in the initial minutes of the game and made his way right back into the game

It is now time for the final match of the day.

Defending champion and World No 1 Viktor Axelsen is up against World No 2 and 4-time title winner Lee Chong Wei in what promises to be a match worthy of a FINAL

Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto beat their compatriots 21-16, 21-15 in just under an hour to lift the women’s doubles crown at the Dubai World Superseries Finals 2017

The women’s doubles match between the two Japanese pairs is underway. 

Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota are up against Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto. 

Tanaka and Yonemoto are one game up after winning it 21-16!

The Indonesian pair of Kevin Sanjaya and Marcus Gideon win yet another Superseries title this year as they defeat the Chinese pair of Liu Cheng and Zhang Nan 21-16, 21-15 in 39 minutes

Great final, well played both. Congrats Yamaguchi, hard luck @Pvsindhu1

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 17, 2017

Congratulations to PV Sindhu for advancing into the final of #DubaiSSF. Keep making India proud and go for gold tomorrow! 💪

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 16, 2017

We witnessed a great final and PV Sindhu ALMOST created history.

She will bring home the silver of the #DubaiSSF after losing to Akane Yamaguchi in a marathon encounter! pic.twitter.com/npOMlTFHZz

— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) December 17, 2017

Akane Yamaguchi beats Sindhu: 15-21, 12-21, 19-21

A 94-minute thriller ends in Yamaguchi’s favour. Sindhu tried her best to outsmart the Japanese but just Yamaguchi’s quick footwork and defence proved to be too much at the end of the day. Sindhu did have a 5-0 and a 4-0 lead in the second and third games but failed to take advantage. Credit goes to Yamaguchi for her steely display. 

19-19!  

Nerves of steel as both players are locked at 19-all. This is turning out to be a one hell of a game.

18-18! PRECISION

It’s all about Sindhu’s precision in pressure situations that sets her apart from the rest. She floors Yamaguchi with a powerful cross court smash.

17-17! And we are back to level scores as #Yamaguchi fails to send that shot across the net. What a decider !!!
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

16-17! 

Sindhu pulls one back. Is it? The linesman calls it wide but Sindhu challenges and wins it.

17-15! 

Yamaguchi opens up a two-point lead over Sindhu with two drop shots. Sindhu is under massive pressure now. Both the players are tired.

15-15! Two successive unforced errors from #PVSindhu gave #Yamaguchi the lead, but the Indian ace sends in a crosscourt winner to level scores
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

THAT DEFENCE IS JUST OUT OF THE WORLD! 

How on earth did Sindhu manage to defend two consecutive smashes? Yamaguchi is down on the floor. This match is going down the wire! Sindhu leads 14-13

One game apiece and 13-13! 

We’ve got a thriller here in the women’s singles final. Both the shuttlers have asked for a breather now.

13-11! 

Sindhu takes advantage of Yamaguchi’s position at the backcourt to claim an all-important point. This game is all about winning rallies.

11-10! Challenge unsuccessful by Sindhu 

Yamaguchi closes the gap on the Indian’s lead. Both the shuttlers have started to look comfortable while playing rallies but this will only make them tired. This is challenging

11-8! #PVSindhu manages to go into the mid-game break with a 3-point lead. However #Yamaguchi is cramping Sindhu's natural play
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

8-10! Good challenge Yamaguchi 

The shuttle had landed well inside the sidelines. Only two points separate the two at the moment.

9-7! Well, that could be costly 

Sindhu defends consecutive attacking strokes from the other side of the court to frustrate her opponent.

7-6! 

Sindhu maintains her lead over Yamaguchi as the Japanese hits the shuttle wide.

6-5! 

Sindhu needs to be mentally strong to get the better of Yamaguchi as she did in the group stages. She leads by a single point in the decider.

5-4! #PVsindhu continues to be in the lead in the decider but #yamaguchi is close behind and in better form
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

5-3! 

A lucky net chord goes in Sindhu’s favour. The Indian ace should take advantage of her positioning to take quick points and reach the mid-game break with a healthy lead.

4-0! 

Yamaguchi gets succumbed to Sindhu’s forehand drive and hits the net. Sindhu has a healthy lead in the third and final game!

2-0! A 51-shot rally there. Exhaustion is getting to the players. #PVSindhu in the lead
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b#DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

2-0!

Sindhu responds well to floor Yamaguchi after back-to-back tiring rallies. The third game has a lot in store for us.

Akane Yamaguchi makes it 1-1!

The Japanese shuttler showed great courage to win the second stanza and push the match into the decider. Sindhu just needs to get her energy back. The rallies have started to trouble her but Yamaguchi’s defensive prowess proved to be a handful for the Indian.

20-12! #AkaneYamaguchi is clearly working towards a decider that seems to be definitely on the cards
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

18-12! 

There is not much Sindu can do when Yamaguchi delivers booming smashes from the forecourt. A healthy six-point lead for Yamaguchi there. Sindhu is struggling.

16-11! #AkaneYamaguchi with a 5-point lead is playing those rallies to her advantage and unsettling #PVSindhu
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

15-11! 

Sindhu is making Yamaguchi work a lot but the Japanese has responded convincingly with her wall-like defence.

11-13! 

The second game has thrown really good rallies where both the shuttlers have managed to deal with it courageously. Yamaguchi fails to judge the drop and gifts a point to Sindhu.

12-9! 

Sindhu gets into position to deliver a flat smash but hits the shuttle wide. A three-point lead for Yamaguchi there.

11-9! #Yamaguchi goes into the mid-game interval with a 2-point advantage over #PVSindhu. The Japanese shuttler has won 6 of the last 7 points
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

9-10!

Sindhu pulls one point back with a delicate cross court slice drop. She is struggling to cover the court but her variety of strokes can trouble the Japanese.

And Yamaguchi makes it 9-8! 

From being 0-5 down, she now leads by a point as we approach the mid-game break. 

8-7! #PVSindhu still in the lead but has hit a few unforced errors that has allowed #Yamaguchi to make her way back into the match
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

7-8! 

Sindhu hits the net and gifts yet another point to Yamaguchi. Looks like Sindhu is struggling to keep up with the pace of the game.

5-7! 

Yamaguchi wins two straight points again to close the gap on Sindhu’s lead in the second game. The World No 2 has defended well after trailing 0-5 in the early stages.

6-3! Yamaguchi has won two points on the trot but Sindhu still leads by three points. The Japanese is getting anxious at times after hitting the shuttle wide.

5-0! It is getting clear that #PVsindhu prefers scoring points in a cluster.
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

Make that 4-0! 

The ‘Arey jeetega bhai jeetega, India jeetega’ chants have taken over the Hamdan Sports Complex. The Indian fans are enjoying every bit of it as Sindhu wins yet another points to make it five straight points.

3-0! Cheers for #PVSindhu growing louder as she opens up an early lead in the 2nd game
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

2-0! 

Sindhu wins two points quicky to put Yamaguchi under pressure in the early stages of the second stanza.

Sindhu bags opening game: 21-15

Smashes and cross court net shots were enough for Sindhu to unsettle Yamaguchi in 23 minutes. The strokes have been outstanding from Sindhu, something coach Pullela Gopichand would be proud of, in the first game. Sindhu’s accurate attacking play is a treat to watch!

20-13! SMASHES GALORE!

Well, that was classic Sindhu. Four back-to-back flat smashes to take Yamaguchi by surprise. Her shot selection and movements have been admirable since the start of the game.

17-13! #PVSindhu is all pumped up after following a perfect body smash with an impressive winner to go up by 4 points
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

16-8! 

Yamaguchi hits the net again and these are some of the unforced errors she needs to avoid against Sindhu. The Indian ace is getting her strokes right.

14-13! #PVSindhu still in the lead but the top seeded #Yamaguchi is making her way back into the opening game
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

14-10! 

Yamaguchi is struggling to cover the court at times. This can cause problems for her mentally. Sindhu has a four-point lead after the mid-game break.

Eight straight points for Sindhu! Leads 13-8

Yamaguchi is applying too much power while returning the shuttle. She has got to be accurate enough to trouble Sindhu.

11-8! SIX STRAIGHT POINTS for #PVSindhu to go into the mid-game break with a 3-point lead.
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

FIVE STRAIGHT POINTS FOR SINDHU! 

The Indian shuttler leads 10-8 and that was some shot by the 22-year-old. Yamaguchi just couldn’t reach in time to return.

And there we have the first rally of this fast-paced game. A 33-shot rally to begin with! 

Sindhu defends brilliantly to level the scores. 

8-8! What a rally!!! and an even better winner from #PVSindhu to level the scores
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/zgM0ijlm1b #DubaiSSF

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 17, 2017

7-5! An inch-perfect forehand stroke and a lucky net chord allows Yamaguchi to extend her lead by two points over Sindhu.

5-5! That’s an excellent cross court smash to level the scores in the early stages of the opening game. Yamaguchi looks a bit uncomfortable near the sidelines.

4-2! A lucky net point for Yamaguchi. Sindhu cannot do anything about it. The Japanese apologises for the shot.

2-2! And Sindhu gives away two consecutive points by hitting the shuttle wide. Yamaguchi has been defending brilliantly from the middle of the court.

2-0! Good start for Sindhu there. The lanky Indian shuttler is pushing Yamaguchi towards the backcourt to create an opening for herself.

Can PV Sindhu become the first Indian to win the Dubai World Superseries Finals title? 

In what has been a fantastic year for the Indian, a title in Dubai would be the icing on an already-delicious cake.

PV Sindhu has her 👀 set on the 🏆!

The fearless shuttler will face Akane Yamaguchi in the #DubaiSSF final. Will our champ create history? We'll soon find out! Match is up next! pic.twitter.com/tgXVnHbkFT

— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) December 17, 2017

Dubai World Superseries Finals: PV Sindhu expects ‘long match’ against Akane Yamaguchi in summit clashhttp://www.firstpost.com

Preview: 

And it’s time for the much-anticipated women’s singles final!

PV Sindhu takes on Akane Yamaguchi in the summit clash of the Superseries finals. The Indian shuttler leads 4-2 in the overall head-to-head meetings against Yamaguchi. The duo recently met in the group stages of this very event where Sindhu prevailed quite convincingly.

It’ll be interesting to see how Yamaguchi responds to the loss after beating Ratchanok Intanon in the semi-finals on Saturday. Sindhu defeated Chen Yufei in straight games in the semis to book a spot in the final. 
 

The winner of the mixed doubles crown at the Dubai World Superseries Finals 2017 is the Chinese pair of Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen who win the match 21-15, 22-20!

The Hong Kong pair is fighting hard to stay alive in the match but time is running out!

Chun Man/Ying Suet 14-16 Siwei/Qingchen. #DubaiSSF mixed doubles final.

— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) December 17, 2017

The world number one pair is showing their class. Siwei and Qingchen lead 11-9 against Chun Man and Ying Suet as the players take a break in the second game. #DubaiSSF Mixed Doubles Final.

— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) December 17, 2017

Siwei and Qingchen win the opening game with ease. 21-15 for the Chinese duo against Chun Man and Ying Suet. #DubaiSSF Mixed Doubles Final!

— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) December 17, 2017

The defending champions have claimed the opening game 21-15. Though their Hong Kong opponents put up a fight, the big match experience of Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen held them in good stead as they constantly closed in on the important moments of the game

The Hong Kong pair is giving the defending champions a tough fight but they still trail 14-11 in the opening game. Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen have been in six Superseries finals this year already.

The Chinese pair leads at the break.

Siwei/ Qinchen 11-9 Chun Man/ Ying Suet. #DubaiSSF Mixed Doubles Final!

— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) December 17, 2017

The final day begins with the mixed doubles summit clash between Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong and defending champion Zhang Siwei-Chen Qingchen. Interestingly, it is going to be a battle between left-handers and right-handers.

Here’s the schedule: 
 

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the final day at the Dubai World Superseries Finals. A host of mouth-watering clashes is upon us, including the summit clash between PV Sindhu and Akane Yamaguchi. 

We will bring you all the live updates and keep you posted with the latest scores. So, sit back and enjoy our blog!