Game two starts and Takahashi storms into a 3-1 lead.
How fast is that? Takahashi moves Sindhu left, right and then hits it back to her left. 5-1 to the Japanese now.
What a rally! That was phenomenal! Ends with Sindhu playing it very close to the net and Takahashi's return is into the net. Sindhu trails 2-5.
And another point — Sindhu is back in this 4-5.
5-5! Takahashi's errors can't be explained
.
That's better from the Japanese -- does the tough work better. 6-5 after a fine return.
7-5 now as Sindhu's high return falls out.
Takahashi stretches but can't recover. Sindhu takes the point. Trails 6-7 now.
And another shot into the net from Takahashi! It's 7-7 now.
Hit it close and fast and Takahashi can't free her arms. Sindhu 9-7 now.
Good push from Takahashi and she gets the point. Trails 8-9
Unforced - and wasteful from Takahashi. Sindhu leads 10-8 as the shuttle falls outside the line.
Low and hard from Takahashi and at an odd angle. Sindhu can't get there. Keeps the lead though : 10-9
What a lovely loft that was... over Sindhu and just in. 10-10. Another close game!
And now she hits it out, Sindhu does. That drift seems to be troubling her. Takahashi takes 11-10 lead into break.
Another long rally and Sindhu's smash is unstoppable -- 11-11 now.
Takahashi having trouble playing on her wrong side, where Sindhu keeps hitting it. The Japanese finds the net again and trails 11-12.
Flick of the arm and drop shot later, Takahashi brings it level at 12-12.
Takahashi hits it out -- trails 12-13 now.
The points won are so identical -- both players know what seems to beat the other. 13-13 now.
And Takahashi moves into the lead as Sindhu's shot hits the tape on the net. So close. 14-13.
14-14 now! Sindhu's not giving up, gets a smash down the line and the return is into the net.
Wide! Sindhu's smash, across the line and out. She trails 14-16 now.
And now Takahashi hits it wide. Amazing match-up this. Sindhu trails 15-16.
Oh that is like one of those chipped goals in football -- just lofts it over Sindhu and keeps it in. Perfect lob. Takahashi leads 17-15.
Keep it close to the net and win! Sindhu has done it again and again and gets one more point. Trails 16-17 now.
OUT! Takahashi just gets it wide and it's 17-17. Now it's about composure...
Out again and Sindhu leads! 18-17 -- too many unforced errors from Takahashi.
What a shot, what a shot -- just drops it midcourt and takes a 19-17 lead, Sindhu does.
Hits it long and Sindhu leads 19-18. Crunch time now.
Net! Sindhu leads 20-18 now.
OUT! Sindhu's done it! Back in the match after winning 2nd game 21-18. What a game.
Final game now of this match...
Excellent from Sindhu -- stretches and sends a colossal return. 3-2.
Again bringing Takahashi close to the net and winning the point. Sindhu leads 4-2.
What a smash!!! Raw power and Sindhu's gaining confidence with every point now. Leads 5-2.
Pressure, pressure's getting to Takahashi and she hits it out. Sindhu leads 6-2.
Sindhu slips midway through a massive rally - sends smash after smash before eventually getting one right. 8-3.
Oh lovely from Takahashi -- backhand return flies past Sindhu and is in. She trails 4-8.
Another killer smash! Takahashi three points back now, 5-8.