Indonesia SSP: Saina trumps 8th seed Intanon; easy win for Sindhu in RD 1

SAINA NEHWAL overcame the first hurdle at Indonesia Super Series Premier as the Indian defeated 8th seed Intanon of Thailand 17-21, 21-18, 21-12.

Happy with the win today against world number 8 #ratchanok intanon from Thailand 🇹🇭...17-21 ,21-18 ,21-12 ...#IndonesiaSSP pic.twitter.com/TUbooYhPZJ

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) June 13, 2017

Saina showed her dominant side throughout the match but post the interval of the first game, she lost a series of points due to silly errors which helped Intanon win the game.

The pressure was on Saina as it was a must win game for her to stay alive in the match. Her determination and some great shots helped her push the match for a decider.

The final game saw Saina taking control of it as she won a series of points which made it difficult for the Thailand GPG runner-up to get back.

With the win, Saina looks confident but challenges don't end here as she faces another Thai shuttler in round two, Nitchaon Jindapol. There are chances of Saina facing top seed Tai Tzu Ying in the quarters.

Meanwhile, PV Sindhu had a rather easy outing against another Thai shuttler Pornpawee Chochuwong. The 4th seed won in straight games 21-12, 21-19. The first game was an easy one but in the second the Thai shuttler fought back. Post the interval, Pornpawee kept chasing Sindhu but the latter displayed some good shots to clinch the match in straight games. She next faces Beiwen Zhang from USA.

On the other hand, mixed doubles duo of Ashwini Ponnappa/Sumeeth Reddy lost to Irfan Fadhilah/Weni Anggraini 12-21, 9-21.

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