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Saina Nehwal’s bid for the Denmark Open Superseries title came to a disappointing end at the hands of Shixian Wang. The seventh ranked Indian lost a tightly contested duel 20-22, 15-21 to exit the event in Odense at the quarter-final stage. Despite having her chances, Saina was rarely afforded any freedom by an opponent who seemed better prepared for the contest. Wang improved to 4-5 in a rivalry that dates back to the World Championships in 2010.
Even Start
Including this match, the two players have battled nine times over the past five years, gaining familiarilty with each others strengths and styles. In their last meeting earlier this season, Saina had earned a very satisfying 76 minute victory over the Chinese to reach the finals of the Australian Open. With her recent separation from Pullela Gopichand weighing on her mind, another victory over Wang would have been just the kind that might have vindicated her decision to an extent.
After losing the first two points, Saina won four in a row to snatch the initiative back from her opponent. And though Wang won the next five points to regain the lead, Saina played with purpose to get even at 7-7. The second seeded Chinese though took control of the game soon tauting Saina with clever placement and change of trajectory.
Saina sought to fightback, but Shixian held her off to clinch the first game
Shixian worked her way past the Indian from there to go into the short break at 11-8. In fact her lead grew to six points as she appeared to be in complete control of the game at 16-10. Saina though is a resilient fighter and she took six of the next eight points to narrow the gap to just two.
Even then, Wang kept a cool head to gain three game points at 20-17. Playing with a sense of desperation, Saina saved all three points to get even for the second time in the game at 20-20. As they fought tooth and nail, it was Wang who won a fourth game point and this time Saina could not prevent her rival from taking the first game.
Saina takes early control in the second game
At the start of the second game, Saina sought to reverse the momentum with some determination. The Indian jumped to a 5-0 lead trying hard to impose her muscular game on the nimble Chinese star. But Wang was ready for the challenge. She worked her way back, rallying patiently with the Indian to draw even at 6-6, winning five of six points from 1-5 down.
The game remained even from there, but it was Saina who held the edge 11-9 as they changed sides. But the clever Chinese mixed deft touch and balanced aggression in equal measure to take eight of the nine points immediately after the break to inch nearer to the semifinals with a handy 17-12 advantage.
Wang races away to victory
Any hopes of a Saina fightback from there were snuffed out without the least remorse by the wily Wang. The Chinese avoided a repeat of the late drama that unfolded toward the end of the first game, by keeping her foot firmly on the pedal to complete a deserving victory in 45 minutes.
Saina will return home, knowing clearly that she has plenty of work to do in order to challenge the top Chinese women. The 26 year old will be looking up to her new coach Vimal Kumar for a fresh set of ideas and a routine to go with it.
