India’s campaign at the 2016 Badminton Asia Championships was put to an end today after its lone remaining participant, Saina Nehwal was handed a 21-16 21-14 defeat in straight sets by China’s Wang Yihan at the Wuhan Sports Center.
Like her Friday’s last-eight outing, Saina opened the scoring to lead 3-0 in the first game today. That left Yihan with some catching up to do which she accomplished comfortably and positioned herself 16-11 ahead.
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Her advantage proved too much to overcome for Saina who slumped to a 16-21 loss in the vital first game.
Momentum was clearly with the Chinese as she cruised to a 5 point lead before Saina could open her account in the do-or-die second game. Halfway into it, the Indian trailed 4-11, with little hope remaining for a fightback into the contention for Sunday’s final.
In the dying moments, however, Saina fought valiantly as she reduced the deficit to a great extent. Game point in sight at 20-9, Wang Yihan conceded five praiseworthy points to the Indian before clinching the tie 21-14.
This is now Saina’s 4th successive loss in a semifinal.
However, the Indian will be awarded a bronze medal in the competition, which will be her second after she won her maiden one in Delhi in 2010.
