Sindhu took the lead in the first game at 20-19 with a swooping over-the-head winner and capitalised on that to wrap it up 21-19.
Carolina Marin knew she had a fight on her hands and bounced back with her trademark style of play in the second. The Spaniard predominantly used her strong forehand to rush Sindhu, proving equally adept at cross-court and down-the-line shots.
It kept Sindhu guessing and though the Indian managed to retrieve many, Marin had settled into a rhythm to win the game 21-12.
PV Sindhu vs Carolina Marin in the Olympics final was going down all the way to the wire.
The effect of the second game was felt in the third. Sindhu gave away a few easy points and Marin took a 9-5 lead. But Sindhu reeled off five consecutive points to level at 10-10. At this point, it was not going to be skills alone.
Carolina Marin did remarkably well to keep her composure as she went about slowly rebuilding the lead (16-14).
The Spaniard then shifted to top gear. Marin unleashed a barrage of powerful smashes to clinch a dream Olympic medal letting Sindhu win just one point in between. Carolina Marin won 19-21, 21-12, 21-15.
The world No. 1 shrieked in delight and fell to the floor, crying in celebration, having won the coveted Olympics gold to break the Asian domination and become the first European woman to win the grand title.
Picture Credit : Google
