Saina Nehwal
Saina Nehwal made a breakthrough in the history of Indian badminton singles for the 28 years. She clutched the gold making the country prouder than ever.
The success was more than gold for the country because her gold medal winning exertion guaranteed India accomplish its aim of pulling off second position in the overall standings piping England. It was important for Saina to glass case her skills and win the gold medal. And after a catch 22 match , where the fate was swinging to and fro , Saina coped to seize her nerve and allege gold 19-21 23-21 21-13 in a nerve-shattering 70-minute title clash in the women’s singles in the course of the continuous cheering from the raucous crowd at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.
Saina was on track on a wary note and was under strain from the world no 17 Mew Choo Wong who had the match in her hands during the initial stages. Be it forecourt, baseline shots or net, The Malaysian was simply outplaying Saina. However she came back strongly in the latter part of the set but it was not enough as the Malaysian walked away 19-21 winners.
The second set started in a similar fashion but now Saina started to connect some of her branded shots and the set went downhill the wire which Saina finally wrapped up 23-21.
With luck on her side, as it was evident during the match, it was now a matter of time before she claimed the gold. And she was ruthless in the third set playing some chomping forehands, baseline shots and net play to set up 8 match points at 20-12.
The Malaysian was able to save one match point but could not delay the foreseeable for long as Saina finally made out to be a winner, 19-21 23-21 21-13 .
Saina and Pullela Gopichand, Saina’s coach was seen by all as she clasped him and broke down in tears as soon as she won the gold. This gold was decisive in placing India in the second place. And she made it.
Tags: Badminton, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Games, India, Indian Badminton, Indian Sports, Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, Siri Fort Sports Complex, Sports, Sports India
