Kuala Lumpur: India`s Saina Nehwal fought her way into the semifinals of the Malaysian Open Superseries badminton event, defeating Denmark`s Tine Baun 21-13, 21-23, 21-13 in a last-eight match.
Saina had defeated Baun in straight games to make it to the final of the World Superseries Finals last month but the match here turned out to be a much tighter affair, lasting close to an hour.
The World No.4 takes on the winner of the all-Chinese clash between Wang Yihan and Xuerui Li scheduled later in the day.
Saina maintained the lead through the first game after a tentative beginning against the sixth-ranked Baun.
The Danish fought back in the second from a 10-14 deficit to earn herself two game points on 20-18. Saina took the next two points for deuce but Baun raised her play to level the match.
It was neck-to-neck in the decider before Saina took a comfortable 16-10 lead.
IANS
First Published: Friday, January 13, 2012, 18:49
