Saina Nehwal clinches her second Australian Open Super Series title

Olympic bound ace shuttler Saina Nehwal triumphed over Chinese Sun Yu in a tough match to clinch her second Australian Open Super Series win. The 72 minute match at the Sydney Sports Centre went down to the wire on Sunday, but Saina held her nerve, the final score reading 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 in the 72-minuter.

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Some highlights from the match and after match math:

• With this win, Saina became the first shuttler to win the Australian Open for a second time.
• This was Saina's first final after she lost to Li Xuerui in China last November.
• Clinching the title increases her chances of a second consecutive podium finish at the Rio Olympics 2016.
• Saina had a 5-1 record as regards Sun Yu prior to the final, with their last encounter taking place in China last year. On Sunday she took her lead one step further.

2016 has been a mixed bag for Saina. Here are a few highlights:

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Saina had suffered an injury after her runner-up finish at the World Championship in August last year. This emphatic win which tested her stamina as well as her resolve might just be the perfect confidence booster she needed before the start of the Olympic campaign. We sure will be rooting for the 2012 Olympics bronze medallist to repeat her feat and better it this time!

Feature Image Credit: Sportskeeda.com