Badminton lovers in India are an upset lot. Ace badminton stars Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu crashed out of the Japan Open Super Series on Thursday (Sept 21). With their exit, no Indians are left in the women's singles draw.
Carolina Marin beats Saina Nehwal 21-16, 21-13. Disappointing end to the day for India #JapanSS
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 21, 2017
Carolina Marin beat Saina Nehwal in the 2nd round of women's singles: 21-16, 21-13. Marin continued to have an edge over Saina throughout the match. She went into the break leading 11-7.
Marina was driven and went right ahead to win the match by maintaining her lead.
Saina Nehwal bows out of #JapanSS after losing 16-21, 13-21 to Carolina Marin.
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) September 21, 2017
It wasn't the start Saina wanted. In a game that was going her way, she would have hoped to lead and close it decisively. However, that didn't happen. In the first game by midway, Saina was staying ahead but Marin was bouncing back when Saina was leading 14-10. Then, Marin came from behind and won the opening game 21-16.
In the previous match, PV Sindhu lost the game in straight sets against Nozomi Okuhara. The match, which lasted 47 minutes, remained mostly in Okuhara's favour.
The Rio Olympic Silver medallist yet again failed to bring to the fore her best game. She committed too many errors and went down 18-21, 8-21
Their rivalry on the court seems to be getting more intensified. Within a month’s time, the two players faced each other on the court. Okuhara got the better of Indian Champ in the World Championships final in Glasgow. However, the Indian levelled it when she beat her in the Korea Super Series final on Sunday (Sept 17). This was their ninth career meeting and now Nozomi leads 5-4.
PV Sindhu's #JapanSS campaign comes to an end as Okuhara wins the match 21-18, 21-8.
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) September 21, 2017
The players who remain in the competition are Srikanth Kidambi, HS Prannoy and the mixed-doubles pair of Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry Chopra.
On Friday, Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy will take on their respective opponents in the quarterfinal match in Tokyo. We wish them good luck.
Also Read: Korea Open: PV Sindhu Beats Japan’s Minatsu To Enter Semis