Saina Nehwal came out in her best as she surpassed world No.2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-15, 21-17 and proceeded to the quarterfinals of Denmark Open BWF World Tour Super 750 Tournament in Odense on Thursday.
The last time when Saina faced Yamaguchi in China Open back in 2014, she faced defeat. This is Saina’s first victory over the Japanese in four years.
Earlier, Saina smoothly captured the game in just 36 minutes. Before the Denmark face-off, the Indian ace lost to the Japenese shuttler six consecutive times. Saina, after her major win, took a sigh of relief after struggling in major BWF events, told Badminton Europe that she was happy after breaking the jinx against Yamaguchi.
“I feel good and happy that I pulled out two tough matches. I performed well in Commonwealth Games winning gold and won bronze at Asian Games. Although the struggle was real, but couldn’t able to cross the first and the second round in the Super Series. But I am happy that I was able to break the barrier and reach the quarters.”
Saina added that Yamaguchi can pull off some tricky shots but she was ready enough to counter it smartly.
Saina will face another Japanese, Nozomi Okuhara, on Friday.
“Now there is another problematic match awaiting for me,” she said
Saina sends out a clear message about persistence. Those who persist to win can definitely acquire the throne of victory.
