Begin typing your search above and press return to search.
proflie-avatar
Login
exit_to_app
The smouldering of anger in Ladakh
access_time 29 March 2024 4:20 AM GMT
Democracy that banks on the electorate
access_time 28 March 2024 5:34 AM GMT
Lessons to learn from Moscow terror attack
access_time 27 March 2024 6:10 AM GMT
Gaza
access_time 26 March 2024 4:34 AM GMT
The poison is not in words, but inside
access_time 25 March 2024 5:42 AM GMT
DEEP READ
Schools breeding hatred
access_time 14 Sep 2023 10:37 AM GMT
Ukraine
access_time 16 Aug 2023 5:46 AM GMT
Ramadan: Its essence and lessons
access_time 13 March 2024 9:24 AM GMT
When ‘Jai Sree Ram’ becomes a death call
access_time 15 Feb 2024 9:54 AM GMT
exit_to_app
Homechevron_rightSportschevron_rightSaina, Sindhu reach...

Saina, Sindhu reach World badminton quarters

text_fields
bookmark_border
Saina, Sindhu reach World badminton quarters
cancel

Jakarta: Indian badminton queens Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu earned contrasting wins to enter the women's singles quarterfinals of the World Championships here on Thursday.

Double World Championship bronze medallist Sindhu, coming back from a long injury layoff, put herself well on course for another medal at the event after defeating old nemesis and reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China in the 9,000-seater Istora Senayan.

The 20-year-old from Hyderabad defied all odds to beat the third seeded Xuerui 21-17, 14-21, 21-17 in 50 minutes to enter the last eight. This was 11th seed Sindhu's second win out of four meetings against the World No.3.

After sharing the first two games, it all boiled down to the crucial third game where Sindhu took a solid 8-3 and then later a 12-7 advantage. However, the reigning Asian Games champion bounced back to go 14-13 up.

The World No.13 Indian used cross court smashes and drops to make the Chinese run for the shuttle and win the next five points to take a solid 18-13 lead.

It was only a matter of time before Sindhu closed the match in her favour, knocking out the Chinese who reached the finals of the last two editions to claim two silvers.

Next up, Sindhu will take on South Korean eighth seed Sung Ji Hyun, against whom the Indian has a 3-1 record in career meetings. Sung won the last time the two played against each other last year in Denmark.

A little while later, World No.2 Saina also displayed superb skills to ease past 14th seed Sayaka Takahashi 21-18, 21-14 in 47 minutes. This was the second seeded Indian's fourth win over the Japanese in as many meetings.

It was a comprehensive performance from the Olympic bronze medallist and she looked in control of the match right from start to finish.

This will be Saina's sixth consecutive quarterfinal at the Worlds, after exiting all previous five times at the same stage. She will take on the winner of the match between China's Yihan Wang and Yeon Ju Bae of South Korea.

A semifinal appearance assures a shuttler of at least a bronze medal finish.

Show Full Article
Next Story