Saina Nehwal reaches quarterfinals of Djarum Indonesia Open

Saina Nehwal in action.

Star Indian shuttler and World No.2 Saina Nehwal has made it to the quarterfinals of the Djarum Indonesia Open 2013.

Saina defeated the World No. 24 Japanese shuttler Sayaka Takahashi 21-13 21-19 in just 39 minutes to make it to the last 8 of the tournament.

The 23-year-old Indian shuttler looked in top form in this match. Trailing by 3-5 in the first game, Saina grabbed the next 4 points to make the scores 7-5. Takahashi, who was trailing by 7-11 at the mid game interval of the first game made a good comeback to make the scores 13-14, but after that Saina took 7 points in a row to win the game 21-13.

The second game was a lot more evenly contested. Both the players were fighting hard for each and every point. Saina was leading 5-2 at one stage but then Takahashi grabbed the next 5 points to make the scores 5-7. Saina, who was trailing 9-11 at the mid game interval of the second game, took the next 2 points to make the score 11 all. The Japanese shuttler was later just 2 points away from winning the second game, but the Hyderabadi star made an outstanding comeback and took the game 21-19.

Saina Nehwal will next face World No. 27 Carolina Marin of Spain for a place in semis. This will be the first meeting between these two players.