The top seed needed just 42 minutes to ease past the former World No. 1 Chinese 21-13, 21-18 at the Haixia Olympic Sports Center.
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Saina Nehwal was thrashed 12-21, 15-21 in the final of the China Open by Li Xuerui.
Nehwal, who was formerly world no. 1, dropped, regained and lost the top spot after a short run of losses, replaced by her rival and former number one Carolina Marin of Spain. Saina though managed to win two at the India Open Super Series and India Grand Prix Gold. Saina, who enjoyed a phenomenal tournament, could not carry her form in the most important game of the tournament.
Saina Nehwal will now play semi final match with 2011 world champion and 2012 London Oympics silver medalist Wang Yihan on Saturday. The Chinese led 5-3 before Saina reeled off six straight points to zoom ahead to a 9-5 lead and held a 11-7 advantage at the break. In the quarters, Saina kept her supremacy alive over the unseeded Japanese as the Indian had on three previous meetings beat her. Saina lead 9-6 at one stage and even though Wang clawed back at 10-10, the Indian wrested a slender 13-11 lead soon.
“It’s awesome to be in the final”.
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The players went neck and neck till 6-6, but after that Saina broke away, built small leads and finally won in 21 minutes. Now I’ve beaten her for the third straight time. The 25 year old Saina took 42 of 71 points played in the match. Li has a few strokes which are very good, she’s very strong at the net.
