Saina 'happy' after giving Japanese opponent a tough fight

Bronze winner Nehwal 'happy' after giving Japanese opponent a tough fight in semi-finals

India's Saina Nehwal returns against Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara during their women's singles semi-final of the 2017 BWF World Championships at Emirates Arena in Glasgow on Saturday. Pic/AFP

The much-hoped for all-Indian final at the Badminton World Championships stayed a dream as 22-year-old Nozomi Okuhara, who shocked the defending champion Carolina Marin in the quarter-finals on Friday evening, added the silver medallist Saina Nehwal to her list of scalps on Saturday afternoon.

Initially, Saina looked like her extending her solid 6-1 head-to-head record against the Japanese girl, as she breezed through the first game. But Okuhara, who loves rallies and closes them with half smashes despite her shorter height, fought back and showed superior lasting power in the next two to win 12-21, 21-17, 21-10 in 74 energy sapping minutes. Saina eventually had to settle for bronze.

Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu will take on ninth seed Chinese Chen Yufei in the other semi-final. Sindhu stormed into the semi-finals by beating Chinese World No. 6 Sun Yu.

Japan's Nozomi Okuhara

Overall, Saina expressed happiness on the performance, adding, "I am happy with my performance. Being unseeded and reaching the semis and playing my best with some of the best players. I gave her (Okuhara) a tough time and maybe I could have won, but it was not my day. This was one of the few semi-finals I played this year, so I am happy."

On Friday night, Okuhara beat Marin 21-18, 14-21, 21-15, while Saina Nehwal moved Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland 21-19, 18-21, 21-15 on the adjacent court. Sindhu had beaten Sun Yu (Chn) 21-14, 21-9. While Okuhara stopped Indian girls from creating history, she made history herself by becoming the first Japanese woman to enter a singles final. Both players were tired after late matches on Friday. "Yes, playing late matches and getting little time to recover does take a toll.

"But Okuhara also played late yesterday. I thought we might get a different scheduling," said Saina. On the difference between first and the next two games, Saina said, "The big difference was that she started picking more difficult shots and longer rallies. I tried my best to keep up with the rallies and increase my pace, but she was very good. In the third game she was everywhere and I was confused. She picked up those close drops and went ahead with half smashes and smashes."

On what could be the plan in coming months, Saina added, "I am happy with the progress. The more I play, the more I will know about them.  I hope I stay fit, and I am in shape and not get injured. This year I played just eight to nine tournaments. I was away for a long time because of the knee injury. I am happy with my condition."

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