Bengaluru/Dubai, December 17: It was a heart-breaking loss for India's PV Sindhu, as the shuttler settled for silver at the Dubai World Super Series Final on Sunday. The Indian, eyeing her maiden Dubai Final title, looked determined to lay her hands on the trophy. But a gritty Akane Yamaguchi, fought hard to overcome Sindhu 15-21, 21-12, 21-19 in Dubai on Sunday.

Sindhu, who was aiming to become the first-ever Indian player to win the World Superseries Finals, fought tooth and nail in the nerve-wracking final. The final clash was indeed a battle of nerves, as Yamaguchi held on to lift the trophy after a 94-minute battle.

Starting off her maiden Dubai final, Sindhu took away the opening game on the back of long rallies as the Indian won the game 21-15. Having taken the lead, the Indian raced away to a 5-0 lead in the second game as well. Just when it looked like Sindhu would walk away with the win with a confident show, the higher-ranked opponent got right back into the game.

Finding her game back, the Japanese went into break with a valuable 11-9 advantage. Following the break, Sindhu found it tough to get going as Yamaguchi took the match into the decider, after winning the second game 21-12 in just 26 minutes.

Following the second game, Sindhu in comparison to her opponent looked exhausted. But the Indian was not one to give up as she raced away to a 4-0 lead in the decider, prevailing over Yamaguchi in two long rallies. But the Japanese proved her mettle as she bounce back to level the scores 5-5.

Though Sindhu went into the break at 11-8, Yamaguchi fought hard as the contest went neck to neck from thereon. It was only a battle of nerves as both players pushed hard. But in the end it was heartbreak for Sindhu as a gritty Yamaguchi grabbed the decider 21-19 to emerge champion.