Saina Nehwal, the ace Indian shuttler became the first Indian ever to make it to the final of the world championships by defeating the local favourite Lindaweni Fanetri in 21-17, 21-17 in the last-four to reach her maiden final of the Badminton World Championships in Jakarta on Saturday.
The Times of India reported that The Olympics bronze medallist Saina had a tight match with Lindaweni, who was playing with a strapping on her right knee, engaged in long rallies and gave each other a tough fight at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
After a breath-taking game, Saina eventually gained a three-match point advantage when Lindaweni hit long. Another wide shot from Lindaweni and Saina raised her arms in celebration.
Saina’s win would make up India’s fifth medal at the World Championship after P V Sindhu clinched the bronze twice in 2013 and 2014 and Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa notched up a bronze in women’s doubles at the 2011 edition.
She will now face World No. 1 and defending champion Carolina Marin of Spain in the summit clash – an opponent she last faced in the final of the All England Badminton Championships earlier this year. We wish her all the very best for the same. Meanwhile, heartiest congratulations to the girl to be the first every Indian to reach World Badminton final.
She told Hindustan Times,
I never thought I’d reach the final. It was one of my toughest matches this week, I was playing against the crowd. Whatever points she got was due to my mistakes, due to the pressure. She was playing without any tension.
She has been coming back strongly in her matches in this tournament and I wasn’t relaxed; I was alert all along for her fightback.
I just want to do well tomorrow. With Carolina Marin in the final, it will be tricky. She has some fast-paced strokes. It will be a different match compared to the All England final since the conditions are different.
She will now face World No. 1 and defending champion Carolina Marin of Spain in the summit clash – an opponent she last faced in the final of the All England Badminton Championships earlier this year. We wish her all the very best for the same. Meanwhile, heartiest congratulations to the girl to be the first every Indian to reach World Badminton final.
With inputs from The Times of India and PTI
