SECOND SEED SAINA NEHWAL is just two steps away from defending her title at the India Open Super Series as she enters the semi-finals beating Sung Ji Hyun of Korea. The match went on for 83 minutes, both the shuttlers sweating it out till the end.
Though the Indian dominated the head-to-head count, the fifth seed Korean shuttler pushed Saina to no limits in the quarter-final match held at the Siri Fort in New Delhi. A thrilling three games match eventually ended in favour of the World No. 6, 19-21, 21-14, 21-19.
In the semi-final, tough challenge awaits Saina who will be up against third seed Li Xuerui of China. The head-to-head count is in favour of the Chinese shuttler who has a massive lead of 10-2.
On the other hand, PV Sindhu crashes out after she was defeated by Bea Yeon Ju of Korea in a three game encounter, 21-15, 15-21, 15-21. The Korean extended the head-to-head lead to 3-0.
The campaign also ended for the women's doubles duo of Mohit Sahdev/Sanjana Santosh. They lost to Japanese pair Naoko Fukuman/Kurumi Yonao in straight games, 8-21, 2-21.
This means Saina Nehwal is the only Indian shuttler remaining in the competition.