The `Smiling Assassin, yet again, was in awesome form. But Yamaguchi fought brilliantly particularly in the second game when she trailed by six points.
Playing an aggressive game, Sindhu had the measure of the Dane. The Indian star was full of energy. She moved well and executed some brilliant strokes.
Sindhu entered the pre-quarterfinals, Pooja Rani had a good beginning in the 75kg women’s category, Deepika Kumari marched into the last-16 after seeing off US teenager Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez
All eyes were on Sindhu, the Rio Olympics silver medallist, as she walked onto the court. She straightaway looked in great form as the 58th ranked Polikarpova caved in meekly.
In Rio Olympics, Indian girls saved the face of the country by winning two medals. Badminton star PV Sindhu won a silver while wrestler Sakshi Malik clinched a bronze.
Suchitra Academy, where Sindhu has been training and playing with these sparring partners for the last months or so, arranged a small cake-cutting event to the Rio Games silver medalist.