PV Sindhu achieved a rare hat-trick at the $120,000 Grand Prix Gold tournament with  21-19, 2123, 21-14 victory against Minatsu Mitani of Japan in the final, conducted yesterday.

Sindhu, ended her title drought, but also brought cheer to the Indian ranks, starved as they have been for titles in the last six months.

Speaking to the media, the excited Sindhu said, “I am really very, very excited. This title came as a big relief. It was my third straight title and somehow I am fond of this place.”

Though PV Sindhu started on an aggressive note in the first game, after Mitani started playing well, Sindhu finished off the first game at 21-9.

Mitani earlier defeated both Sindhu and Saina in the first two rounds in Japan Open. In the second game, Mitani proved her playing capability, by smashing everything on the field. Sindhu had every opportunity to finish the game in the second round itself, but at 21-20, She hit the bird twice into the net and her racquet strings also got snapped.

In the decider, Sindhu raced to a 9-3 lead and never looked back. Some of her returns which she managed from a difficult position from the back of the court even attracted her coach.

Speaking about Sindhu’s impressive play, Pullela Gopichand said, “She is playing very well now. I am happy with the way she managed some of the difficult returns. It is a very good win for her. Staying calm and patient are some of the areas we are working on with her. The way she fought back after the second game's loss and the manner she controlled the contest will help her in the long run.”

“Though I won my third title here, my best performance this year was at Denmark. I beat double world champion Carolina Marin, Wang Yihan and Tai Tzu Ying before losing in the final to Li Xuerui. I could have won the title, but I was happy as that was the first tournament I played with full fitness,” Sindhu said.

By Phani Ch