Saina Nehwal wins China Open Super Series Premier

Saina Nehwal

India’s No. 1 badminton player Saina Nehwal lifted the China Open Super Series Premier title after defeating Japanese qualifier Akane Yamaguchi in straight sets. Experience took the Indian over the finish line, winning the ifnal 21-12, 22-20 in a highly entertaining contest that lasted 43 minutes.

Nehwal started the match on the front foot, hitting excellent body smashes and drop shots to catch her Japanese counterpart completely unawares. Nehwal consitently held a lead and eventually just notched up a gear to find herself with 9 game points at 20-11. Yamaguchi managed to save one with a smash of her own, but it was too little too late. The sixth seed took the next point to take the first game 20-12.

After the first game, it appeared that Nehwal would run away with the match. However, the 17-year-old qualifier had different plans. Yagamuchi managed to shrug off the nerves of the first game to find her usual aggressive game.

The second game was much closer than the first one, with the Yamaguchi staying a point or two in front of Saina for most parts. Nehwal was 16-14 down a point but managed to win the next three points to take a one-point lead. The two exchanged points till 18-18.

Nehwal hit her favourite drop shot to take the point and once again edge ahead of the Japanese. The Indian was unable to capitalise as Yamaguchi took the next two points to set up a game point.

Nehwal saved the game point and won the next two points to win the match 21-12, 22-20.

Nehwal became the first Indian to win the women’s singles title at the China Open. It was also her 8th Super Series title and her 3rd Premier Super Series title.

With the win, Nehwal jumps two spots to become World No. 5. The victory also guarantees her a spot at the BWF World Superseries Finals.