Kuala Lumpur: India’s Saina Nehwal fought her way into the semifinals of the Malaysian Open Superseries badminton event, defeating Denmark’s Tine Baun 21-13, 21-23, 21-13 in a last-eight match here Friday.
Saina had defeated Baun in straight games to make it to the final of the World Superseries Finals last month but the match here turned out to be a much tighter affair, lasting close to an hour.
The World No.4 takes on the winner of the all-Chinese clash between Wang Yihan and Xuerui Li scheduled later in the day.
The world number four Indian had to toil hard before prevailing over two-time All England champion Tine 21-13, 21-23, 21-13 in a women singles quarterfinal match which lasted a little less than an hour.
The 21-year-old Saina kept the pressure on her rival and played a lot of smashes, but she gained more points with her dribbling at the net.
In the first game, Saina opened up a narrow lead after 5-5 but Tine kept breathing down her neck at 9-10 before the Indian started reeling off straight points to widen the gap and take a 1-0 lead.
Tine raced to a three-point lead in the second game but straight six points helped Saina to zoom past her and take a 14-10 lead.
However, the Dane refused to give up and caught up with the Indian at 15-15 and held on to win the second game and draw level.
In the decider, Tine again managed to open up a narrow two-point lead early but Saina soon gathered herself and grabbed a 9-7 lead to keep the pressure intact. She soon raced to a win in the game and the match. (Agencies)