After 5 days of action at the Sports Centre in Sydney, we are down to the finals day at the 2016 Australian Open. On semifinals day, India had two representatives in the form of Kidambi Srikanth in the Men’s Singles and Saina Nehwal in the Women’s Singles.
While the former disappointed with a straight games loss to Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, the latter complimented for his loss in sublime fashion, going past her long-time nemesis with ease in straight games 21-8 21-12.
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The 26-year-old, who has looked impressive in her judgment and has mixed the down-the-line shots very well with the cross-court hits, will now face Sun Yu on China in a quest to win her second Australian Open title twice in three years.
It won’t be wrong to say that Saina has had the tougher route to the final. The Indian had to face perhaps the most dangerous player on the circuit in the quarterfinal in the form of Rathanak Intanon and after battling her way in the opening game, she won the second game 21-16 to book a place in the final four.
Prior to the start, it seemed like it would perhaps be a tricky contest for the Indian, but it wasn’t so by a long shot as she crushed Yihan in straight games.
Her opponent on Sunday, Sun Yu has also had a good tournament, having beaten some big names including another of Saina’s nemesis- Li Xuerui- in straight games in the semifinal on Saturday and will look to win her maiden title in Australia by inflicting a loss on yet another former World No.1
The head-to-head among the two reads 5-1 in favour of Saina, but on Sunday it would be a fresh start and the Indian will know that she will need to be on top of her game to win her 10th Superseries of her career.
Match: Saina Nehwal vs Li Xuerui
Venue: Sports Centre Sydney
Time: Around 11
TV& Live stream: Star Sports 4 and HD 4, www.starsports.com
