Saina Nehwal celebrates World No. 2 ranking by reaching quarterfinals of Malaysian Open

India’s badminton icon Saina Nehwal celebrated her rise to the world number two ranking with a scintillating 21-12, 21-9 win over Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin to romp into the second round of the Malaysian Open Badminton tournament.

Saina, who is now placed second behind Li Xuerui, pushing Wang Yihan to number three, got off the blocks in a flash, winning nine consecutive points to straightaway put pressure on Yip, who was not allowed to settle into any kind of rhythm.

The world number 23 Hong Kong shuttler was feeling the pressure of doing the catching up, points-wise, as Saina rattled up points in no time, pocketing the opening game at 21-12.

The Indian appeared even more menacing in the second game, showing her class at the net as well on both the flanks.

Yip was rendered a sitting duck as Saina was all over her, literally toying with her to close out the match at 21-9 in a contest that lasted just thirty minutes.

Saina will now play Japan’s world number 33 Nozomi Okuhara in the quarterfinals.

The Japanese girl earlier caused a mild upset, beating world number 21 Lindaweni Fanetri.