Live Score French Open Badminton 2018 | Saina Nehwal vs Saena Kawakami

And that brings us to the end of our live coverage of the French Open 2018 for today.

Do join us tomorrow for live updates from the second round of this tournament.

Until then, it's a goodbye from all of us at Sportskeeda.

Saina could come up against former world champion Nozomi Okuhara in the next round. And that would be a cracker if they do meet.

Nehwal beat her a week earlier in Odense. It will be interesting to see what happens in this match.

Saina is through to the second round of the French Open, a week after reaching the final of the Denmark Open.

It's a 21-11, 21-11 win for Nehwal in 37 minutes.

She needs just one to convert!!!!!!

Saina has WON!!!!

Nine match points for Saina now!

20-11

Points are coming freely for her now.

18-10

That's all Kawakami could do for once more Saina has taken the control of proceedings.

She is up 17-10

Kawakami has suddenly got some fighting spirit

She is trying her best to close in on Saina, but there is still a five-point gap.

Saina up 15-10

Kawakami reduces the deficit by grabbing two points.

8-14 she trails

A difference of eight points it is now between the two.

Saina up 14-6

Right after interval, Saina comes back to add two quick points.

13-5 for Nehwal

It's 11-4 for the Indian going into the midgame interval.

A couple more points for Kawakami as she now trails 3-9

This is the vintage Saina we know, one who has delighted millions of fans over the years!

Kawakami managed a solitary point after that but Saina is simply looking invincible!

Up 7-1 now

Kawakami just can't even get a point!

Saina 4-0

Nehwal is simply too dominant in this duel!

She has opened up a 3-0 lead in the second game.

First game goes to Nehwal!

21-11

Nehwal now has nine game points!

20-11

Saina is simply establishing a masterclass here!

18-10 now

The gap between them is now of 9 points.

Saina ahead at 17-8

15-7 now for Nehwal.

Hard to stop her when she is feeling so confident!

After that Kawakami tries to build some momentum as she picks up two points

6-13

Showing her terrific defense, Nehwal wins a long rally, extending her lead further

13-4 she leads

She picks up where she had left and gets another point straight after break.

12-4 now

Kawakami fought back to take two points but it was not enough to dent Saina's confidence.

Saina up 11-4 at the midgame interval.

Playing fast, attacking points, she adds a couple more points to her kitty and goes up to 9-2

Saina still able to maintain her five-point lead over the Japanese.

Up 7-2 now

Very strong start from Nehwal.

She has raced ahead to 6-1 now

Saina pretty determined to keep her lead.

Up 3-1

The Japanese is on the board now.

Trails 1-2

And it begins!

Nehwal opens up a 2-0 lead.

Can Saina Nehwal continue her good form from last week?

Let's find out.

Live Score French Open Badminton 2018 | Saina Nehwal vs Saena Kawakami | Commentary & Results