Hong Kong Open: Saina Nehwal Enters Quarters

London Olympics bronze-medallist, Saina Nehwal started her Hong Kong Open campaign in style, and is now through to the quarter-finals of women’s singles. Proving what it is to be a top ranked player, she is recovering from her injury fast and locked a hard fought 21-18, 9-21, 21-16 win over Japan's Sayaka Sato in the second round.

Another big victory today against world number 11 from Japan ...Sayaka sato .Happy to see that I m improving every match 👍#Hongkong open pic.twitter.com/qF59Nrff7l

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) November 24, 2016

Badminton ace Saina took just 51 minutes to knock out her Japanese opponent who made a match out of it.

Saina  had won the Hong Kong Open in 2010 and this is her second tournament after making a comeback from a knee surgery. Earlier because of the same reason she got out very early from the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Also Read: Viren Rasquinha says women can become change agents through sport

The Hyderabad girl faced a neck to neck competition but clinched the two rounds of three. Also PV Sindhu is easing her way into the tournament and already reached to the second round. Now, if both Sindhu and Saina make it through to the last 4, there is a chance that the players could end up clashing in the semi-finals.

Also Read: Radha Kapoor on how India’s sporting successes can lift the nation’s spirits

Saina's latest world ranking is number 11 while PV Sindhu has climbed up to number 9 after her victory in the China Open.

Interestingly, top 8 players in the world can contest in the prestigious year-ending BWF Super Series Masters Finals.

Also Read: World #1 Saina Nehwal vows to work harder at the top

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