Australian Open Super Series: PV Sindhu overcomes Sayaka Sato's spirited challenge in opening round

Rio Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu sealed a well-fought win over Japanese opponent Sato in the opening round of the women's singles at the Australian Open on Thursday.

Sindhu was given a tough challenge all throughout the first game before the Indian sealed it 21-17. Sato stepped up a gear in the second half of the second game. Trailing 10-13, she won seven consecutive points before going on to clinch the game 21-14 and force a decider.

Sato was in no mood to give up, though, as she saved four of those match points to make it 20-18 to the Indian. Sindhu, however, avoided an upset as she won the next point to seal the win. The match lasted an hour and five minutes. Sindhu will play Chen, who beat Gadde 21-17, 12-21, 21-12, in the second round.