World champion PV Sindhu wins her Tokyo Olympics opener in straight games

Reigning world champion P V Sindhu opened her Olympic campaign with an easy straight-game win over Israel's Ksenia Polikarpova in the women's singles group J match here on Sunday. The 26-year-old Indian, seeded sixth, beat the 58th ranked Polikarpova 21-7 21-10 in a lop-sided opening match. The world number seven Indian will next play Hong Kong's world number 34 Cheung Ngan Yi in the group stage. Rio Games silver medallist Sindhu started on an attacking note but briefly found herself lagging 3-4. However, she moved ahead quickly with Polikarpova making unforced errors and entered the break with a 11-5 lead. Soon, Sindhu was on a roll, grabbing 13 straight points. The Indian used her trademark straight and cross court smashes and drops to trouble the Israeli, who couldn't utilise the few opportunities that came her way. Sindhu sealed the first game in her favour when Polikarpova missed a shot. Polikarpova, who was playing with a strapped knee, continued to struggle with her stroke

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