Gambling capital of world where PV Sindhu took first steps on road to stardom
One of only two non-Chinese to win the low-key Macau Open since it became a Grand Prix – now a Super 300 – PV Sindhu learnt early what it took to succeed at the elite level. It’s a jaw-dropping fact when one thinks of it: Sindhu had only five lower-tier Tour titles before she won the silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics – three in a hat-trick (2013-15) at what used to be the season-ender at Macau. Two others came at Malaysia, and she had her two bronze medals at World Championships and another third place at the Asian Championships, a harbinger of what was to come. But those three seasons with wins at Macau were an indication of how hard she fought even when nobody was watching. For the likes of Ashmita Chaliha and Anmol Kharb, who made the quarters at least at Macau, that is the Sindhu-development period they need to study carefully. The Macau wins had a few routines. Back then, Sindhu was in Saina Nehwal’s shadow, so when she took her …