Commonwealth Games 2010 : Saina Sends India Into Historic Second Position

A better end could not have been scripted as Saina clinches gold and scripts history as the first badminton singles gold in 28 years . The victory was all the more important as her gold medal winning effort ensured India reached its aim of achieving second position in the overall standings pipping England . With many VVIP’s present in the stadium to watch the match , it was important for Saina to showcase her skills and win the gold medal . And after a topsy turvy match , where the fortunes were swinging to and fro , Saina managed to hold her nerve and claim gold 19-21 23-21 21-13 in a nerve-wrecking 70-minute title clash in the women’s singles amid the continuous cheering from the vociferous crowd at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

Saina Nehwal in a Photoshoot

Saina started on a cautious note and was under pressure from the world no 17 Mew Choo Wong who had the match in her hands during the initial stages . Be it forecourt , baseline shots or net , The Malaysian was simply outplaying Saina . However she came back strongly in the latter part of the set but it was not enough as the Malaysian walked away 19-21 winners . The second set started in a similar fashion but now Saina started to connect some of her trademark shots and the set went down the wire which Saina finally clinched 23-21 .

With luck on her side , as it was evident during the match , it was now a matter of time before she claimed the gold . And she was ruthless in the third set playing some crunching forehands , baseline shots and netplay to set up 8 match points at 20-12 . The Malaysian was able to save one match point but could not delay the inevitable for long as Saina ran out winners , 19-21 23-21 21-13 .

The coaching bond between Saina and Pullela Gopichand was to be seen by all as she hugged him and broke down in teras as soon as she won the gold . With India back at No 2 , we can proudly say , CHAK DE INDIA .