Hong Kong: Saina Nehwal’s poor run continued this season as she crashed out of the women’s singles competition after suffering a narrow defeat against Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand in the second round of the Hong Kong Super Series badminton tournament in Kowloon here on Thursday.
Seventh seed Saina, who improved a rung in the world rankings, released on Thursday, to sixth spot, lost 17-21, 21-9, 15-21 to Porntip, who jumped three places to world number 10, at the Hong Kong Coliseum here.
Meanwhile, Ajay Jayaram’s campaign in the men’s singles competition also came to an end after he went down 18-21, 12-21 to Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia in a 36-minute match.
Olympic bronze medallist, Saina, held a 6-0 record against the Thai girl before the match but it counted for little during the 50-minute battle between the two shuttlers.
Hong Kong Open brings an end to the 12-leg Superseries circuit of the season and Saina will now try her luck in the season-ending BWF Superseries Final which will held in Kuala Lumpur next month.
Saina is ranked second in the Superseries Standings but it will be a tough task as the even will have the top eight shuttlers vying for the top prize.
Meanwhile, national coach Pullela Gopichand said he feels the “hectic” international and domestic schedule has taken a toll on Saina’s fitness and form this season but was confident for next year. (PTI)
