Nehwal is into the pre-quarter-finals!!!!! After that tough first half of the first game, Saina just hit cruise control button. In the second game, the young Thai was just no match for her highly accomplished rival!
Good morning and welcome to the Sportskeeda liveblog of the Japan Open Superseries 2017. Saina Nehwal makes her much-awaited return to the circuit following her bronze medal-winning effort at the World Championships in Glasgow in August.
All badminton fans will now be interested in seeing if she can build on it.
Saina has a tough draw at the Japan Open as she is headed for a potential second-round clash with the reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin. But to be ready for Marin, Saina needs a good performance in the first round.
The Indian could not have asked for a better opening round opponent. World No. 25 Pornpawee Chochuwong has played Saina twice this year and both times the former World No. 1 emerged a winner in straight games.
The 2-0 head-to-head record against the young Thai should boost the currently 12th ranked Nehwal's confidence by miles and if she can get yet another win in straight games, it will do a world of good to Nehwal ahead of that possible blockbuster showdown with Marin too.