Korea Open 2018: Saina Nehwal vs Nozomi Okuhara Quarter-finals, Live Score and Match Updates

Okuhara saved four match points to beat Nehwal 15-21, 21-15, 22-20 on her way to the semi-finals.

Updated: 28 September 2018 16:38 IST - Published: September, 28 2018 03:12 PM IST

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Saina was the better player for most of the match. It's the difference in age and stamina that did her in eventually.

Kudos to Okuhara for showing a lot of belief even when she was staring at defeat.

That's the end of India's campaign at the Korean Open

Okuhara showed her tremendous stamina and fighting spirit in the end to take the match away from Saina.

And Okuhara wins!!!!!!

She saved FOUR match points and converted her first match point to get the win!

It's gone as well!

20-20

3 match points gone!

Can she take the fourth?

Saina is blocked by the net!

20-19

The shuttle goes wide from Saina.

18-20

One big smash from Okuhara

17-20

Saina remained steady and went up to match points.

20-16

Okuhara rushed into the net to finish one point and pushed the shuttle into the net.

Down 14-18

But, just as I write, Okuhara takes two points through some attacking play.

Trails 13-16

Saina looks to have a grip on the playing conditions now. Okuhara looks more confused and unsure at the moment

It's 16-11 to Nehwal currently

Okuhara took two quick points on resumption but Saina has wrested back the momentum here.

She is up 13-10

It's 11-8 to Nehwal at the midgame interval.

2 more attacking points for Saina now!

9-5

It's 7-5 to Nehwal presently as she has managed to hold off Okuhara successfully so far

Saina much faster, sharper and more alert now.

Playing more aggressively.

She is up 5-2

And she gets another point to make it 3-1

Nehwal is up 2-1 in Game 3

Okuhara takes the second game 21-15

We have a decider here!

It's a host of game points for Okuhara at 20-15

The rallies have expectedly become longer as Okuhara looks to have got back her confidence.

She is making Saina move from corner to corner.

Okuhara up 16-10

It's 14-9 to the Japanese.

She looks to have settled into this match and moving a lot better now

A lot more accurate and better defense from Okuhara gives her three points.

Okuhara up 10-7

And Saina has grabbed the lead now!

8-7

It's 6-6

Saina is fighting back now. But Okuhara and s clearly moving better than the first game now.

Saina trails 5-6

And the Japanese does hold on to her two-point lead to make it 4-2

It's a 2-1 lead for Okuhara in the second game

Saina takes the first game 21-15

One great slice shot from Okuhara

She reduces the gap to five points.

Game points for Saina!

20-12

Managing to keep the shuttle out of reach of Okuhara with smart angles.

She is up 19-12

Saina isn't allowing the Japanese to play her natural defensive game much.

Saina is now up 17-12

Okuhara is lacking in precision at the moment and Saina is making the most of it

Saina going for great angles and deft touches.

She is up 14-10

Saina takes an 11-9 lead going into the mid-game interval.

And it is 9-9!!!

Okuhara will never give up without a fight!!!!

This is a very, very tight contest now!

Saina still has her nose in front with a 9-8 lead!!!!!

THREE POINTS IN A ROW FOR THE INDIAN NOW!!!!!

SHE NOW LEADS 7-6

And the Japanese makes it 6-4

But Okuhara quickly goes up to 5-3 by adding a couple more points!

Saina fights back to take two points on the trot

2-3

Okuhara builds a 3-0 lead

And we are off!

Good afternoon and welcome to the Sportskeeda live coverage of the Korea Open quarter-finals. Nehwal has a tough encounter against the former world champion Nozomi Okuhara.

Nehwal leads their head-to-head record 6-3, but it is the Japanese who has won their last two meetings in three games. This one too is expected to be a tight contest!

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