Dubai: India’s badminton ace Saina Nehwal topped her group to march into the women’s singles semifinals at the BWF World Super Series Finals on Friday.
The World No.4 Saina, a 2011 finalist at the prestigious event, fought back from a set down to better South Korea’s world number eight Bae Yeon-ju 15-21, 21-7, 21-17 to top Group A with a perfect record.
The Friday’s match was a contest between two similar players, both of whom believe in grinding it out in the court and the match begun as expected with long rallies consisting of sharp angled drops and smashes.
Nehwal admitted she got a little ahead of herself during Friday’s match. “I should have fought a little bit. I already had my mind on the next round. Bae is a tough player and she loves to keep the rallies going.” the Indian said.
“Once I am on court it is always my intention to win. I knew I was in the semis, but that hunger to win for the sake of the fans was always there,” Nehwal said.
“The first three days of the competition have not been easy and the next two days will be equally tough as these are the best players in the world. I am okay with anyone I am pitted against in the semi-finals.”
Saina will play Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan in the semi-final, while Sung Ji Hyun of Korea will clash with Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in other women’s singles semi-final.
Semi-Final matchups:
Women’s doubles:
Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (Japan) vs Luo Ying-Luo Yu (China)
Jung Kyung Eun- Kim Ha Na (Korea) vs Tian Qing- Zhao Yunlei (China)
