Continuing her winning steak from the recent Commonwealth Games, Saina Nehwal shone again at the Badminton Asia Championship. On Saturday, she won a bronze in the women's singles semifinals.
This is for the third time that Saina has ensured a bronze medal for India at the Asian tournament. She had clinched her second gold medal at the Commonwealth Games earlier this month. This time, the Olympic bronze medallist shuttler fought fearlessly, but couldn't get past world number two and defending champion Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei. Saina lost 25-27 19-21 in what was clearly a nail-biting finish. The match lasted 45 minutes.
For Saina, it was a frustrating encounter with her Chinese Taipei counterpart as this is the 8th consecutive time she has lost against Tai Tzu Ying in a total 16 matches.
Third defeat of the season
This was also her third defeat of the season. She had lost the Indonesia Open final and All England Championship this year. Saina Nehwal booked the semifinal spot at BAC 2018 after beating Lee Jang Mi 21-15, 21-13 in the quarters.
Saina has a new-found confidence and fitness that could take her for the long haul in future
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The player, ranked 12th in the world, recently claimed her second individual Commonwealth Games gold medal by defeating World No 3 PV Sindhu 21-18, 23-21 in a thrilling women’s singles final at Gold Coast, Australia. It was a much-awaited game between the two ace players of India. Sindhu had to settle for a silver.
Saina also received the Youth Icon award at the inaugural TOISA in 2015.
Her past achievements include an individual gold in the 2010 CWG in New Delhi and mixed team silver and bronze in 2010 and 2006 respectively.
Way to go, Saina!
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