PV Sindhu has won a staggering 74 matches since the beginning of the Rio Olympics. Only two women have won more singles matches than Sindhu in that period: Akane Yamaguchi (91) and Tai Tzu Ying (80). Hence, it is no surprise that all three of them have reached the semi-finals at the All England Open.
While Tai is the defending champion as well, world no. two Yamaguchi and world no. three Sindhu will face each other in the last four with the aim of making their first final in Birmingham.
How have their past meetings panned out?
Sindhu has been extremely dominant in their head-to-head, winning six of their nine previous matches, with four of those wins coming in straight games. Since the beginning of 2017, Yamaguchi has won two of their five matches.
Only three of their nine career meetings have gone the full distance, with Sindhu winning two of those matches. However, Yamaguchi's win came in the final of the World Superseries Finals in Dubai last year, easily the most high profile match these two players have played.
In an attritional battle which lasted one and 34 minutes, the Japanese player's relentless retrieving tired Sindhu out by the end of the match. Their last meeting came at the Badminton Asia Team Championships earlier this year, where Sindhu won 21-19, 21-15.
What have they done in this year's All England Open?
Sindhu has had to battle hard over three games in each of her three matches in this tournament. She fought back from a game down in her opening round match against Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong before getting past world no. 11 Nitchaon Jindapol in a tricky second round clash.
Her best display came in the quarterfinals against Rio Olympics bronze medallist and World Champion Nozomi Okuhara, where she won after losing the opening game and trailing 12-16 in the deciding game.
On the other hand, Yamaguchi has only dropped a game in her three matches in the tournament and was particularly impressive in her win against Olympic champion Carolina Marin in the quarterfinals, defeating her 21-15, 21-18 in straight games. Yamaguchi lost a game against compatriot Sayaka Sato in the second round, in what was a highly entertaining and fast-paced encounter.
Keys to the match
Speaking about the semi-final, Sindhu said, "It is not going to be an easy match". However, Yamaguchi was a lot more forthcoming. She said, "Sindhu is a very tall player; so she is very strong in attacking. In addition, she has got endurance power as well. So she can stay strong in long rallies as well. Having said that, I have become better at receiving and if I do well I have got a very good chance."
While Yamaguchi always had a very solid attack, it is her defence that has improved significantly in the last couple of years. She is also on an eight-match winning streak and has spent one hour and eight minutes less than Sindhu on court in this tournament.
With her vast reserves of stamina and foot speed, endurance is never a problem for Yamaguchi and she would look to engage in long rallies and tire Sindhu out like she did at the World Superseries Finals. Sindhu's best chance might lie in pushing Yamaguchi deep and not letting her attack with her forehand as unlike most other Japanese players, Yamaguchi hits the shuttle really hard and relies as much on power as placement.
Prediction:
Yamaguchi to win in straight games.