2014 China open: Saina Nehwal in women's singles final

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal of India made it to the women's singles final in China Open Super Series Premier on Saturday. Sixth seed Nehwal defeated unseeded Chinese Liu Xin 21-17, 21-17 in 47 minutes.

Saina justified the ‘favourite’ tag

Saina, although favorite to win the encounter, started the first game tentatively. Liu Xin started by adding point to the scoreboard first and remained in lead till 7-7. The Indian was forced to follow her, which she did well. While Nehwal remained behind Liu Xin on the scoreboard, the rallies were equally competitive.

At 4-7 down Nehwal scored 5 consecutive points to go into lead for the first time in the match. From here the momentum shifted towards the Indian’s direction. Liu Xin tried to fight but Nehwal kept the pressure on and managed to go into the break with a slim lead of 11-10.

Back from the break Liu Xin tried to recover but Nehwal was relentless in applying pressure and started winning points on the trot. Liu Xin watched her helplessly as trailed 13-19 to the Indian in no time. Liu Xin made a last ditch attempt and fired four straight points, but that wasn't enough to stop Nehwal from taking the game 21-17.

Saina ran away with the lead in the later stages of the match

The second game started in a similar fashion to the first. Liu Xin started scoring and maintained the lead at the start. But Saina fired three consecutive points to get even at 5-5. Points swung between the two like a pendulum till 8-8.

Nehwal once again broke free at this stage and went into the break with a two-point lead at 11-9.

Back from the break, Nehwal was determined to maintain the high pressure. The long rallies all went in favour of the Indian as she raced ahead to 14-11 lead Liu Xin began to mount a comeback, taking the next five points straight to jump in the lead.

Just when it stared to seem like she had managed to break Nehwal’s rhythm, the Indian showed who the boss is by firing six straight points and earning herself four match points.

Liu Xin put on some resistance and managed to save one match point, but Nehwal was eager to wrap things up quicktly. She took second set 21-17 and the match 21-17, 21-17 in 47 minutes.

Liu Xin had reached the semis in style defeating 4th seed Sung Ji Hyun of Korea in the first round Liu Xin and no less than Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in quarters. She started the match on a positive note, but in the end she was no match for Saina's experience.

In the final, Saina will play against the winner of the match between Akane Yamaguchi of Japan and 5th seed Bae Yeon Ju of Korea.