Press Trust of India
Jakarta, August 14: Saina Nehwal etched her name in the history books by assuring herself of at least a bronze medal after reaching the semifinals of the World Badminton Championship here Friday.
The World No. 2 Indian showed tremendous athleticism and precision to outwit 2011 edition gold medallist and former World No. 1 Wang Yihan 21-15, 19-21, 21-19 in 62 minutes. She will meet Indonesia’s Lindaweni Fanetri, against whom Saina has a 2-1 record. This will be Saina’s maiden medal at the World Championships.
On a day, Sindhu failed to complete a hat-trick of medals at the World Championships and 13th seeds Jwala and Ashwini also fell at the quarterfinals, Saina showed her prowess as she dug her heels and rode on her accurate strokes and fitness to emerge victories at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
In the opening game, Wang had opened up a 7-4 lead early on but Saina produced some brilliant strokes to draw level at 8-8 and from then on she never looked back and won it comfortably.
Both the second and third game were tight affairs in which leads changed hands frequently. Saina lost the second game when Wang beat her with a fine net dribble.
In the third game however, Saina displayed better nerves. Every time Wang took the lead, Saina came back to restore parity and this went on till 18-all. Saina then took a 20-19 lead with a cross court smash and assured herself of a bronze when Wang hit the next shot wide.
Earlier, Sindhu, seeded 11th, went down 17-21, 21-19, 1-21 to Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea while Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa lost to the Japanese duo of Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao 23-25, 14-21.