Saina misses her third Indonesian Open
And yet again, a chance for etching the golden pages of history was lost. India’s champion shuttler Saina Nehwal could not cross the final hurdle in the Indonesian Open. She could have won the title for the third year in-a-row. What a commendable achievement it would have been for an Indian! Saina was playing in her sixth Indonesian Open, having won the 2009 and the 2010 editions.
Wang Yihan, Chinese World No. 3 showed a remarkable recovery from first-game blues to down the Nehwal for 12-21, 23-21, 21-14 in the women’s singles final match in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta . Saina Nehwal has been struggling to maintain a desired consistency throughout this year. But yet again the 21-year-old proved why she is India’s safest bet in the 2012 London Olympics.
Saina looked clearly under pressure to win a major title after her stint in the Swiss Open. But she entered the court with a clever blend of attack and defence to start her campaign in the final with her signature style. Her opponent Wang, after having a dream run in 2009 winning five Super Series titles including the All England championship, showed no signs of threat.
Saina had previously lost in three games to Wang in the Uber Cup. But in this match, it was Sania who more dominant and Wang was defensive without any big shots.
Saina staged a brilliant combination of net-dribbles and precise down-the-line smashes. Wang continued to rely on drops at the net but the Saina too was equal at the task with a better control at the net.
In the second game Wang became herself finally and did what was expected of her. She became more aggressive to unsettle the opponent. Saina still was in her full throttle and came up with some uber cool smashes and slowly started showing her ‘no-apprentice’ self.
Saina with a great game and with a decent lead forced the Chinese commit unforced errors in the second set. But things changed when she was serving for the match at 20-19; she faltered with her deep return. This was exactly the loop hole the opponent was looking for, and she did not waste the opportunity and won the game with a excellent backhand return. She was back in the game with a bang!
The third game too was a very interesting one and started with an equal note as the lead changed sides frequently. But soon Wang surged ahead with some powerful forehand smashes to which there were no answers with the Indian. Wang started changing her gears so well then that Saina was struggling to move around. And it all ended when Saina’s down the line-smash went in favour of the Chinese player.
Tags: 2012 London Olympics, Badminton, India, Indonesian Open, Saina Nehwal, Shuttler, Wang Yihan
