World Super Series Masters: Saina has a terrific run, loses in SFs

Saina Nehwal’s brilliant run at the World Super Series Masters Final ended today when she lost to World No. 6 and No. 3 seed Chen Wang (HKG) in the semifinals. In a thrilling semifinal, Saina matched Wang point for point but Wang’s experience turned the match in her favour in the third game. The turning point in the third set came when Wang won four points in a row to go ahead 18-13. Chen Wang finally won 21-15 14-21 21-16.

Earlier in the tournament, Saina had won 2 of her 3 round-robin matches to become the second player in her group to qualify for the semifinals. While she lost her first group match against World No. 2 and No. 2 seed Tine Rasmussen (DEN) 21-18 21-14 on Thursday, Saina did not let the early disappointment affect her in the group matches on Friday. She beat World No. 7 and No. 4 seed Hongyan Pi (FRA) in straight games 21-18 21-13 and later edged out local favourite and World No. 11 / No. 6 seed Mew Choo Wong in a thrilling contest 21-10 17-21 21-16.