Swiss Open GP Gold 2012: Saina Nehwal ousts Judith Meulendijks in Women’s Singles round-of-16
India’s Saina Nehwal secured her place into Women’s Singles top-eight stage after beating Judith Meulendijks of Netherlands in round-of-16 at Swiss Open GP Gold 2012 on Thursday, March 15, in Switzerland.
The third seed in the event Saina, who has been placed at number five in Women’s Singles world rankings, struggled hard to find a good flow against Judith and won the battle in three games by taking 45 minutes in the court.
The Dutch shuttler played to her maximum potential and stretched her higher ranked Indian opponent to three games but failed to put up good show in the deciding set and eventually lost the contest.
Nehwal started her run in an expected manner as she played with superb precision and took an early lead. However, she could not maintain it until the end of first half as her rival drew close on the score board.
After the break, both ladies continued their impressive play and remained equal on the score board. They played to their maximum potential and no one could manage a comfortable lead until the ending phase.
Saina could not continue her positive play at this crucial stage and lost the set with a tight 19-21 score on the board.
However, the Indian powered her way back into the fight by playing thrilling badminton in the second set. She was on a different level this time and managed a comfortable lead until the break by reaching 11-7.
Saina remained miles ahead of her Dutch rival in the ending half of second set and easily bagged it with a remarkable margin of 21-10.
In the deciding game, both shuttlers played at the same speed in the opening rallies. Judith was slightly behind her rival at 5-6 when Saina geared up her speed and scored 11 points in a row to get a commanding position in the match.
The Indian did not face any considerable resistance in this set and bagged it with an incredible 21-6 score on the board.
Saina overpowered her lower ranked Dutch challenger in this three-set contest with a margin of 19-21, 21-10 and 21-6.
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