'Saina...Saina…Saina’. That was the chant all the way. It was some game on the courts where two of the country’s top women Badminton players -- PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal – were up against each other. In a much-awaited event, Nehwal won the clash and emerged victorious with a 21-17, 27-25 win against Sindhu to become India's national women's champion for the third time.
It was the 82nd Senior National Badminton Championships 2017 on Wednesday (Nov 8) which were being played in Nagpur. Nehwal played this after a gap of almost 10 years, first being 2007. She needed this win so desperately some would argue. A major upset for Sindhu, but Saina played into her experience in the sport.
While speaking in the TV telecast after the match, an ecstatic Nehwal said, "I would like to thank Gopi sir and the team for working on my movement and helping me improve my game. They have played quite an important role in this win."
"I would like to thank all the fans for coming here and watching the matches. I'm sure the youngsters will learn a lot from this tournament."
Some unimaginable errors from Sindhu's side helped Saina bag the title since she had last competed at the Senior Nationals while winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. Sindhu, on the other hand, too wasn't part of the domestic tournament after winning the 2011 and 2013 editions.
Last time both the India's finest and Olympic medallists clashed with each other in the India Open badminton tournament this year where Sindhu bettered in the games ahead. Before that their first counter was at the 2014 Syed Modi International.
Saina is currently ranked World No. 11 had earlier defeated fifth seed Anura Prabhudesai 21-11 21-10 while World No 2 and top seed Sindhu edged out Ruthvika Shivani before prevailing 17-21, 21-15, 21-11 in the semifinals.
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