Ninth-seeded PV Sindhu produced a performance of skill, maturity and composure in beating the World No.2 and 2012 silver-medallist Wang Yihan of China 22-20, 21-19 in a pulsating quarterfinal in Rio on Tuesday. Sindhu is now one win away from a medal in her maiden Olympics appearance.The first game was characterised by long rallies, with both players making the other move all around the court, but Yihan had sped away to a 3-0 lead before Sindhu could lodge her first point.Sindhu, though, never let her opponent out of sight, leveling the score at 5-5, and then coming back from 8-12 at one stage to draw level at 13-13. Faced with a 15-17 deficit soon after having taken the lead for the first time at 15-14, she produced two smashes low to either side of Yihan to level the score at 17-17, before bringing up her first game points at 20-18.Yihan was able to save two of them -- the second producing 46 shots in 45 seconds between the two -- but then Sindhu closed out the first game 22-20 in 29 minutes.She showed very good attitude and it is good to see her perform at this stage. Of course there are chances of improvement in terms of a couple of areas, but I think undeniably the way she fought and pulled the strategy through was very good Sindhus coach Pullela Gopichand said.?Sindhu started the second game in an aggressive manner, smashing straight towards Yihans body. Up 4-2, she produced the point of the match when she retrieved the shuttle bending low to her forehand and then recovering in time to produce a firm backhand return that Yihan could only sink into the net.Sindhu consistently kept a gap between herself and Yihan -- up to five points at one stage -- and was exceptional with her play around the net in particular. Yihan tried to counter Sindhus positivity with some aggression of her own, but was never able to bridge the gap between herself and the 21-year-old Indian to anything less than two points.Sindhu was in sight of wrapping the game up at 18-13 before a forehand flick of hers went well wide, and Yihan took full toll to pick up the next four points to draw level for the first time in 34 points. Taking the lead for the first time at 19-18, Yihan was surprised with Sindhus swift return of her serve, which enforced an error out of the Chinese. Sindhu closed out the match with two assured points to take the second game 21-19 in 24 minutes.Sindhu had a good lead in the second but Wang Yihan did well to cover that up but in the end and I think Sindhu stayed calmer and she was resilient enough to finish it up. To feel confident about her defence and then do it at the big points is what made the difference. In my book she can do a notch higher but what we saw today was fantastic Gopichand said.?Yihans head-to-head going into this match against Sindhu was 4-2 in her favour, though Sindhu had defeated her 21-18, 21-19 in their last meeting, at the Denmark Open in October 2015.Yihan had defeated Saina Nehwal in the semifinals of the London Olympics four years ago, before losing to compatriot Li Xuerui in the gold medal match.Sindhu will now face Nozomi Okuhara of Japan. A win against her will open Indias Rio account - even a defeat will give Sindhu a chance to fight for the bronze - but Sindhu herself was grounded.?All I can say is that Ill give my best. I hope theres more to come, she said. It was tough today, against the World No.2. She played well in both games, especially the second to tie the scores at 18-18. I cant say that I got lucky with the win, since she also played brilliantly.?Ive played Yihan many times before, winning some, and losing some. I just try to give my best on the day, because its always a tough game.The first semifinal on Thursday will feature Carolina Marin of Spain and Xuerui, following which Sindhu will play her semifinal against World No. 6 Nozomi Okuhara from Japan at 5:50 pm IST.Indias Kidambi Srikanth is scheduled to play his mens singles quarterfinal against World No. 3 Lin Dan of China on Wednesday at 5:50 pm IST.China Shoes Online . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. China Shoes Store . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. https://www.chinashoes.us/ . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. China Shoes Cheap .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Jordan From China . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half.FORT WORTH, Texas -- Oklahoma State running back Chris Carson bulled through one defender and then broke two tackles for his touchdown. Chris Lacy almost dragged another TCU player into the end zone on a long catch-and-run that set up another score.After running all over TCU in a 31-6 victory Saturday, the Cowboys will be playing for the Big 12 championship in their next game. They have won seven in a row since losing their conference opener at Baylor.Its just been a great stretch for us, said Mason Rudolph, who ran for two touchdowns and threw for another score. Its a good position to be in.The Cowboys (9-2, 7-1, No. 11 CFP) became the first team with two 100-yard rushers against TCU since 2007. Freshman running back Justice Hill (154 yards on 16 carries) and Carson (146 yards on 17 carries) combined for 182 yards after halftime when Oklahoma State added to a 10-6 lead.I told our team that in 2006-07-08-09, thats how we used to finish games. Thats what we were known for around here a long time, coach Mike Gundy said. It makes it a lot easier for me to sleep when we know we can run the ball.And its a big reason the Cowboys, who finished with 334 yards rushing and 541 overall, can become Big 12 champions if they beat eighth-ranked Oklahoma in their regular-season finale after an open date.Oklahoma State scored on its only two drives in the third quarter to go ahead 24-6. Carson had his bruising 19-yard TD run and Rudolph scored on a 2-yard keeper after a 63-yard catch-and-run by Lacy , who dragged a defender almost 15 yards before finally being brought down.I was just trying so hard to drag him into the end zone, said Lacy, inspired by Carsons hard-running style. I was trying to do the same thing. He just brings some physicality to the team and its spreading.TCU (5-5, 3-4) had a chance to take the lead in the final minute of the first half after a 40-yard run by quarterback Kenny Hill . But Kyle Hicks took direct snaps in a wildcat formation on consecutive plays from the 1, getting stopped short on a third-down run and then overthrowing an open receiver.The Frogs, who have two more channces to get bowl eligible, suffered their most lopsided home loss in their 16 seasons under Gary Patterson.ddddddddddddIt was Pattersons 200th game as head coach.We definitely got our butts kicked. It was embarrassing, said Hicks, who was held to 47 yards on 25 carries after he had 192 yards and five TDs against Baylor in TCUs previous game. You just have to make sure you bounce back next week and be more prepared.THE TAKEAWAYOklahoma State: Gundy and the Cowboys won their only Big 12 title five years ago. And they werent going to be denied a chance at another. After their last two wins by a combined seven points, the Cowboys responded with 31 unanswered points following TCUs only score. Rudolph is 21-5 as their starting quarterback.TCU: There were more designed runs as expected for Hill (eight carries for 79 yards), but he threw two interceptions. The Horned Frogs were coming off a 40-point win over Baylor in their previous game two weeks ago, but reverted back to the kind of inconsistent play that hampered them in losing three of four before that and escaping Kansas with a one-point win.HE SAID ITIm not even mad. Im embarrassed because we got our butt kicked. Simple as that. Im not just talking about the players. Its our job as coaches to find the answers. Im embarrassed for them and for me, Patterson said.SETUP RECEIVERLacy had four catches for 109 yards, including a 3-yard TD in the first quarter that put Oklahoma State ahead to stay. That score was set up by his leaping 30-yard catch with both hands extended over his head before he came down with a foot in bounds.POLL IMPLICATIONSOklahoma State could move up a spot or two , but is in position to make a significant move in the final poll of the regular season if it wins that game and the Big 12 title.UP NEXTOklahoma State finishes the regular season with Bedlam at No. 8 Oklahoma on Dec. 3.TCU goes to Texas on Friday.---More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '
