A relieved PV Sindhu let out a joyous scream when she finally laid her hands on a gold medal by claiming the World Tour Finals with a win over 2017 world champion Nozomi Okuhara here on Sunday.

With the straight-game victory, coming after seven straight finals losses, Sindhu became the first Indian to achieve the feat. This was her career’s 14th title but the year’s first. Prior to this in 2018, she has won silver at the World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Thailand Open and India Open.

Dubbed a bridesmaid after falling short of gold on a number of occasions, Sindhu finally broke her jinx, screamed and sunk to her knees.

Olympic silver medallist Sindhu finally settled her finals blues with a 21-19, 21-17 win over Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara to lift the prestigious season-ending trophy.

“I feel really happy. I have no words because it is my first win this year after several losses in finals, so it was memorable. The year ends on a beautiful note,” said Sindhu, who won silver medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships this year.

“Somewhere every time people have been asking me the same question. I hope the question won’t again come to me, asking me why I always lose in the final. I think I can say now that I won a gold and I am really very proud.”

Her mentor and chief India coach Pullela Gopichand also stressed on the importance of Sindhu crossing the final hurdle. “There has been a lot of talk of her losing the finals and I think it was important that she won the final, not for anybody else but for her own self,” he said. “People have been waiting for it and it is great to have this win at the end of the year.”

Talking about her title win, world No. 6 Sindhu said: “In the last to last year, I lost in the semi-final and last year I finished runners up. This time I am the winner, so it is a beautiful tournament for me. I won all matches in the league stages and also the semi-finals and finals.”