Rio Olympics: PV Sindhu's semi-final start time in IST, opponent name, TV channel information

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 17: India's PV Sindhu is one win away from creating history in badminton at Rio Olympics 2016. LATEST - Sindhu in final (start time in IST)

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21-year-old Sindhu has made it to the semi-finals in women's singles. Yesterday (August 16), she stunned world number 2 Wang Yihan of China 22-20, 21-19.

Sindhu gives the crowd thumbs up after winning against Wang Yihan in the quarter-final at Rio Olympics

With her entry into the last-four phase, Sindhu has already made history by becoming only the 2nd Indian to reach the women's singles semi-finals at Olympics.

In 2012 London Olympics, Saina Nehwal achieved the same and went on to claim bronze after winning the play-off match following her loss in the last-four contest.

Now, Sindhu stands one step away from bettering Hyderabad city-mate Saina's feat. A win tomorrow (August 18) against world number 6 Nozomi Okuhara (Japan) will guarantee a spot in the final and at least a silver. However, a loss for Sindhu, the world number 10, will send her to bronze medal play-off game.

So far, Sindhu has been unbeaten at Rio Olympics. She won both her matches in the group stage and added 2 more victories in last-16 and quarter-finals.

Japan's Nozomi leads 3-1 against Sindhu with all 4 of those matches decided in 3 sets. Going by this, it should be a tough battle between the 21-year-olds at the Riocentro Pavilion. Nozomi won this year's All England Open Championship.

As India waits for its first medal in Rio de Janeiro, whole country will be cheering Sindhu on Thursday evening.

When is Sindhu's semi-final match?

The semi-final will start at 7.30 PM IST (earlier it was scheduled for 5.50 PM but changed) on August 18 (Thursday). Sindhu will play the 2nd semi-final. The 1st last-four contest (Set to start at 5.50 PM IST, earlier scheduled for 5 PM) is between world number 1 Carolina Marin (Spain) and China's Li Xuerui, the world number 3.

Which channel will telecast the match?

Star Sports network will broadcast the match LIVE. Also LIVE streaming will be available on Star Sports' Hotstar

Previous meetings between Sindhu and Nozomi. The Japanese shuttler leads 3-1

February 18, 2016 (Asia Team Championships)

Nozomi won 18-21, 21-12, 21-12

January 17, 2015 (Malaysia Masters)

Nozomi won 19-21, 21-13, 21-8

November 20, 2014 (Hong Kong Open)

Nozomi won 21-17, 13-12, 21-11

July 7, 2012 (Asia Youth Under-19 Championships)

Sindhu won 18-21, 21-17, 22-20

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