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Japan Open Super Series: Saina, Sindhu Crash Out

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Deepshikha Chakravarti
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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.

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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.

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.

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

pv sindhu Indian badminton Players Japan Open Super Series Saina Nawal
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