Always ready for any challenge, Saina Nehwal's entry into a Super Series final on Saturday is not a surprise at all. Badminton world's most promising player last season had remarked prior to the Asian leg of events that there was still time before she consistently made finals of Super Series events.
"There's a long way to go before I win a Super Series," the World No. 8 had said, clearly not fancying her chances in the final. On Saturday in Jakarta, the Hyderabadi teen turned things around in dramatic fashion, stunning former World No. 2 Lu Lan of China 25-23, 21-19 to storm into the final of the Indonesia Super Series, her maiden entry at this level.
"She was very, very happy and pleasantly surprised," national coach Gopi Chand told TOI. "Crossing the semifinal was becoming a hurdle for her and she was delighted to have beaten a top Chinese player." Saina will take on World No. 3 Wang Lin of China in the final on Sunday. Lin beat World No. 5 and No. 8 seeded compatriot Xie Xingfang 21-19, 21-13 in the other semifinal.
Although the sixth-seeded Indian lost in three close games to Lin in the quarterfinals of the Singapore Super Series last week, Gopi feels the loss would not play on Saina's mind. "I really think she has a very good chance of winning the title. She told me she was moving very well today. She won a lot of points at the net and on her half-smashes. If she manages to get an initial lead, I'm sure it would pep her up," said Gopi.
Saina started off well against Lu, a former World Championship bronze medallist, and led 11-9 in the first changeover. Lu, ranked just below Saina at No. 9, was forced to play catch up. Lu, seeded No 7, bounced back stronger in the second, racing to a 6-0 lead. Saina reduced the gap by attacking Lu on the backhand corner and, at 9-13, the Indian reeled off six consecutive points to surge ahead 15-13. Saina maintained the point difference and clinched the match after 39 minutes on her first match point.
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