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Saina Nehwal vs Busanan Ongbamrungphan, Thailand Open GP Gold 2017 semifinal - As it happened

By Sportskeeda Desk | Last ModifiedJun 03, 2017 16:35 IST

Final score - Saina 19-21 18-21 Ongbamrungphan

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16:35 (IST)3 JUN 2017

That's all from us today here! See you tomorrow for Sai Praneeth's final.

16:34 (IST)3 JUN 2017

A crushing loss for Saina! She fought tooth and nail but her Thai counterpart held her nerve in the end.

16:32 (IST)3 JUN 2017

The Thai has two match points now!

16:29 (IST)3 JUN 2017

This will go down to the wire! 16-16 after a beautiful drop by the Thai.

16:28 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Both shuttlers are looking to break away but it's not just happening. 15-15!

16:26 (IST)3 JUN 2017

It's truly anybody's game now! 14-14 as both shuttlers push hard.

16:25 (IST)3 JUN 2017

All square at 13-13 now!

16:25 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Busanan claims three points in a row. 

16:24 (IST)3 JUN 2017

As Saina was threating to pull away, the Thai responds with a delicious drop. 13-10!

16:20 (IST)3 JUN 2017

This time it's Saina who goes into the break with the upper hand. 11-8!

16:19 (IST)3 JUN 2017

As the players tire out, the match is getting more and more interesting. Saina leads 10-8!

16:17 (IST)3 JUN 2017

It's neck and neck here at 9-7! The rallies are getting longer!

16:15 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina with a slight edge at 7-5.

16:13 (IST)3 JUN 2017

A tight start to the second game as well. It's locked at 4-4.

16:10 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Underway in the second game and Saina leads 2-1!

16:07 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Can Saina fight back in the second?

16:06 (IST)3 JUN 2017

The Thai holds her nerve and takes the first game!

16:04 (IST)3 JUN 2017

19-19! What will happen next?

16:03 (IST)3 JUN 2017

It's anybody's game from here. 18-18!

16:01 (IST)3 JUN 2017

It's getting tight now as the Thai clinches four points in a row. It's all square at 17-17 now!

15:59 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina was looking to break away but the Thai is slowly clawing her way back. She's three points behind now.

15:57 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina has upped the ante after the interval. She leads by three points now.

15:55 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina takes the lead for the first time in the match as she wins four straight points in a row. 13-11 now!

15:54 (IST)3 JUN 2017

All square at 11-11 now!

15:53 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina takes point after a long rally! A deceptive forehand drop outfoxed the Thai.

15:51 (IST)3 JUN 2017

A tight match so far as Busanan leads 11-9 at the break. Can Saina fight back?

15:50 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina with a fine point! Dictates the rally and finishes off with a drop shot cross-court. 10-9 to the Thai now.

15:48 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Both players making unnecessary errors. 8-8!

15:47 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Two unforced errors from Saina make it 6-8.

15:46 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina forced on the defensive but she defends well and forces the error from the Thai. 6-6!

15:45 (IST)3 JUN 2017

All square at 5-5 now. 

15:44 (IST)3 JUN 2017

3-5 to the Thai player now. Her backhand is causing Saina some trouble.

15:43 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina recovers to take back two points but is foiled by a terrific cross-court drop by Busanan.

15:41 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Cagey start by Saina. The Thai races into a 3-0 lead.

15:40 (IST)3 JUN 2017

The referee introduces the players. And we start! Saina to serve.

15:36 (IST)3 JUN 2017

The match is about to begin. The players have arrived on the court! Don't go anywhere.

15:15 (IST)3 JUN 2017

The mixed doubles encounter has entered the third and deciding set. Saina's match is lined up after this.

14:33 (IST)3 JUN 2017

The mixed doubles semifinal is underway, after which Saina's match will start. Stay tuned!

11:31 (IST)3 JUN 2017

Saina Nehwal is just two matches away from claiming the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold 2017 crown and will face local favourite Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the semifinal.

The Indian has enjoyed a good run in the competition so far, with two comfortable victories in the opening two rounds. However, she was stretched in the quarterfinal by Japanese shuttler Haruko Suzuki and won in three games after missing out on a match point opportunity in the second game.

Given her opponent's record, this match should be a real tough one for Saina. The Thai is ranked number 13 in the world and is the fourth seed in the tournament. She has won all three matches comfortably so far, without dropping a single game.

Stay tuned for the action as we bring you all the latest updates and score.
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