Dominating Down Under
Saina was a forced to be reckoned with at this year’s tournament, dominating from round 1 until the semifinal in without dropping a game. She defeated the tenacious No. 4 seed Wang Yihan from China 21-8 21-12 in the semifinal, and got the edge over World No. 4 Ratchanok Intanon (VOLTRIC 70 E-tune, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES) 28-26 21-16 in the preceding quarterfinal match.
The Indian went into the final with her gaze set on another trophy to sit next to the one she earned in the 2014 edition of the tournament. Despite dropping the opening game, Saina came roaring back with explosive serves that left the Chinese with little answers. Saina would come through victorious with a final score of 11-21 21-14 21-19.
“I knew she would crack. How many hard smashes can you pick up?” commented on the official BWF website, speaking of her ferocious power-game.
Xiamenair Australian Open 2016 Tournament Results
Women’s Singles (Final)
[7] Saina Nehwal (NANORAY 900, POWER CUSHION 02 LADIES)(IND) def. Sun Yu (CHN) 11-21 21-14 21-19
Men’s Doubles (Final)
[7] Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) def. [6] Angga Pratama (NANORAY 900)/Ricky Karanda Suwardi (NANORAY 900) 21-14 21-15
Women’s Doubles (Final)
Bao Yixin/Chen Qingchen (CHN) def. Greysia Polii (NANORAY Z-SPEED, POWER CUSHION AERUS LADIES)/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari (DUORA 7, POWER CUSHION 75) 23-21 21-17