There is no getting around An Se-young if PV Sindhu wants to win her first-ever French Open Super 750 crown. But while aiming for her second big title after Japan this year, she will first need to get past World No 22 Japanese, Hina Akechi.

Playing World No 24 Chiu Pin Chan in the quarterfinals, Sindhu, now ranked 11, led from start to finish against the 27-year-old, finishing with a 21-13, 21-14 win in 39 minutes.

Sindhu now has 1 title, 3 semis and 6 quarters this season – which includes 4 in Super 750 or above.

There is much to admire in Sindhu’s game, and plenty to nitpick given she has easily been India’s finest racquet sportswoman. But what has gone un-acknowledged is how she can wake up, brush, warm-up, play hard, limber down, recover, eat something, sleep, rinse-repeat for 16 long years. Wearing a former World champ tag easily. It was known that she forgot her losses quickly and moved on, when young.…