Saina Nehwal overpowers Bae Yeon Ju for semi-final spot in BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries

Sport360 staff 12:55 20/12/2014
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  • Streak: India’s Saina Nehwal (pictured) eliminated Bae Yeon Ju in BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals.

    India’s Saina Nehwal continued her winning run and secured top spot in the Women’s Singles Group A of the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals at Hamdan Sports Complex yesterday.

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    After being a game down against Bae Yeon Ju, Nehwal came back to take the next two games, eliminating Bae from the competition.

    Nehwal will now meet Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei today in the first semi-final (at 13:00).

    Meanwhile, Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi topped Group B, and will face Sung Ji Hyun of Korea in the second semi-final (after 13:00).

    Nehwal had her hands full against Bae, whose pace and power mixed with the odd soft shot kept the Indian chasing the shuttle. However, the Korean couldn’t sustain the high pace and Nehwal eventually prevailed 15-21, 21-7, 21-17.

    “I should’ve fought harder in the first game,” said Nehwal, who was backed by a vociferous Indian expat crowd.

    Bae Yeon Ju was beaten by India's fan favorite Saina Nehwal.

    “Bae is the kind of player who will pick up everything… you need to be faster than her to pick up her shots. Under such situations you’re under a lot of pressure. As expected, it was a tough fight. The third was a challenge for both of us. Although I was in the semis after winning the second game, I wanted to win the match.”

    Meanwhile, Jan O Jorgensen was in a must-win situation in his final Men’s Singles Group B match against India’s Kidambi Srikanth, who only needed to win a game to assure himself a place in the last-four. 

    With Srikanth playing at a fiery pace and taking the first game, Jorgensen had his back to the wall but he came through after a tricky period in the third game. He topped the group on points difference, with Kidambi finishing second and Japan’s Kento Momota third.

    Kidambi will now face China’s Chen Long in the semi-finals, while Jorgensen will face compatriot Hans-Kristian Vittinghus in the second semi-final.

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