India’s Saina Nehwal got her Rio Olympics 2016 campaign off to a winning start, defeating Lohaynny Vicente 21-17 21-17 in her 1st Group G match at the Riocentro Pavillion on Thursday.
The opening game began with the Indian going up 6-2 before her Brazilian opponent fought back to make it 6-6. The lead switched constantly after that and at the 10-10 mark, the former World No.1 held her nerve to head into the interval with a 11-10 lead.
After the break, Saina seemed to have found some rhythm but at the 12-10 mark, Lohaynny once again put pressure on her – winning two points straight to make it 12-12. It was a topsy-turvy affair after that until the 17-17 mark, which is when the Indian clinched 4 points straight to take the game 21-17.
The second game began with Saina looking a lot more fluent, with more smashes landing inside and leading 11-5 at the interval. However, Loahynny didn’t let the match completely slip away, just about staying in the contest at all points.
The tide turned in Saina’s favour at the 20-14 mark and after a few more nervy moments, she clinched the game 21-17 to get her campaign off to a winning start.
She next takes on Marija Ulitina of Ukraine on Sunday.
