Saina goes down to Yihan in semis

Wuhan (China), April 30

The Indian challenge ended at the Asian Badminton Championships after Saina Nehwal suffered a straight-game defeat to local favourite Yihan Wang in the semifinals of the women’s singles.

Nehwal lost 21-16 21-14 to sixth seed Wang in a 41-minute match, her 11th defeat to the Chinese. It was yet another semifinal finish for the world No. 8 Indian, having made it to the final four in the Swiss Grand Prix Gold, India Super Series and Malaysia Super Series Premier Open earlier in the year.

In the first game, Nehwal led 3-0 and managed to hang on to a 9-6 lead before the Chinese star marched ahead after the interval.

In the second game, Wang dished out a dominating performance as she opened up a 5-0 lead and continued to surge ahead even as Nehwal’s game crumbled. This is the last tournament before the Olympics qualification deadline of May 3.  

Sunday’s final pits Wang against world No. 3 and reigning Olympics champion Li Xuerui, who dispatched South Korean seventh seed Sung Ji Hyun 22-20 21-11 in 40 minutes. Both have won nine matches against each other and both will be vying to win a fourth Asian title.

Lee beats Lin

World No. 2 Lee Chong Wei recorded his 11th career win over China’s Lin Dan when he edged past the two-time Olympics champion 22-20 15-21 21-4 in the semifinals.

The Malaysian will next face world No. 1 Chen Long, who eased past compatriot Tian Houwei (21-14 21-16) in the other semifinal.

Lee was trailing 7-14 at one stage and inched his way to 20-20 before wrapping up the first game 22-20. Lin came back invigorated to easily win the second game 21-15. In the decider, Lee was in control, piling up a 12-0 lead before Lin won his first point. — Agencies