Saina defeated the World No. 24 Japanese shuttler Sayaka Takahashi 21-13 21-19 in just 39 minutes to make it to the last 8 of the tournament.
The 23-year-old Indian shuttler looked in top form in this match. Trailing by 3-5 in the first game, Saina grabbed the next 4 points to make the scores 7-5. Takahashi, who was trailing by 7-11 at the mid game interval of the first game made a good comeback to make the scores 13-14, but after that Saina took 7 points in a row to win the game 21-13.
The second game was a lot more evenly contested. Both the players were fighting hard for each and every point. Saina was leading 5-2 at one stage but then Takahashi grabbed the next 5 points to make the scores 5-7. Saina, who was trailing 9-11 at the mid game interval of the second game, took the next 2 points to make the score 11 all. The Japanese shuttler was later just 2 points away from winning the second game, but the Hyderabadi star made an outstanding comeback and took the game 21-19.
Saina Nehwal will next face World No. 27 Carolina Marin of Spain for a place in semis. This will be the first meeting between these two players.
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