Saina Nehwal downs Yao Jie to make the quarter-finals

Saina Nehwal continued her impressive run of form in the Olympics with a convincing 38 minute victory over Netherlands’ Yao Jie 21-14, 21-16 to keep her dreams of an Olympic medal alive and kicking.

The early exchanges showcased Yao’s experience and touch against the power and agility of the visibly quicker Saina Nehwal. The Indian edged ahead 8-4 after a flurry of early exchanges even as they were getting a measure of each other in their first encounter since November last year.

Saina showed immaculate control to vary her pace that left her 35 year old Dutch opponent stranded in the back court to take a 11-5 lead. The Dutchwoman did her best to use her guile to deceive Saina, but all her experience was no match for the power and placement of Saina.

When they returned from the short break, the trend continued as Saina pulled away to 19-8. The wily veteran drew from the reserves of her experience to fight her way to 20-14. Saina converted her fourth game point after 18 minutes on court, with Yao eventually running out of steam. The Indian was smashing winners on either flank and try as she might it was a struggle for a Dutchwoman to keep pace.

The second game wasn’t very different as Saina opened up a 5-1 lead. But Yao was up to the task, showing exceptional court coverage to work her way back to gain the lead for the first time at 6-5. A peeved Saina gathered herself to stroke a couple of thundering smashes to either side, pumping herself up for the final charge to restore the upper hand at 11-7.

With time running out for the 14^th seed, she looked to attack but Saina cramped her for space by attacking her opponent’s body. At 14-10, the quarter-finals were well within her sights. Saina misjudged the elevation twice in a row to allow her opponent to nudge closer, but she resorted to another burst of powerful striking to inch ahead 17-13.

A cross court smash to the right of Yao proved beyond the reach of the tiring Dutch lady and Saina was within two points of a comfortable victory. Yet another smash to the same spot yielded Saina her first match point.

The resilient Dutchwoman saved a couple of match points, but Saina wasn’t to be denied on the third attempt. Yao sent the bird soaring long to send Saina into the last eight. The winner of the encounter between Sayako Sato and Tine Baun will stand in the way of the Indian and what could be a deserving spot in the semi-finals.