Saina Nehwal In Eight Consecutive World Championships Quarters

On Friday, Saina Nehwal lost to Carolina Marin in the quarters' fight of the BWF Badminton World Championships. But what is noteworthy is that she has become the first woman to reach the quarter-finals of the championship for eight consecutive times.

She had stormed into the women’s singles quarterfinals after thrashing 2013 champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-16 21-19.

Though Saina put her best foot forward, she couldn't vanquish the superior seeded Spaniard in the quarters. Olympic champion and two-time world champion, Carolina, on the other hand, booked a spot in the women's singles semi-final with a 21-6, 21-11 win.

Indian Express reported that earlier, while entering the quarters, Saina had said: “It is a very good win. She is known for a deceptive game. Second game was going my way, but suddenly she played some difficult strokes, she was everywhere and made it 19-19. At that point, Gopi sir played a big role. He told me what to do and I followed that and the game turned in my favour”.

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Saina said, “Pressure is less on me now because the last few tournaments I haven’t been able to cross the quarterfinals but I have played well at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Championship. But I can see that the form sometimes goes here and there but I am happy it is coming back in important events.”

Saina's overall performance in recent times has been improving after her knee surgery. Continuing her winning streak from the Commonwealth Games, Saina Nehwal shone again at the Badminton Asia Championship in April when she won a bronze in the women’s singles semifinals. Saina has a new-found confidence and fitness that could help her for the long haul.

Feature Image Credit: Rituraj.net

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