Indonesia Open Super Series Champion Saina Nehwal
Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal beat Xuerui Li of China 13-21 22-20 21-19 in the summit clash on Sunday to win the Indonesia Open Super Series in Jakarta , sending out a strong message to rivals ahead of the London Olympics next month. The world number five took the women’s singles crown and $48,750 in prize money by beating world number four Li.
“I’m happy to win the tournament today. But there are lots to be done (before the Olympics),” she said. And added “I think all the Chinese are really good… All of them are very strong, very hard working. They gave me lots of tough fights even in the quarter final.”
Nehwal thrashed Sung Ji-Hyun of Korea in the semi-final Saturday while Li beat top-seeded compatriot Wang Yihan in the other semi-final game.
The final and deciding game was a closely-fought contest before Nehwal sealed her victory after Li’s weak backhand return hit the net.
Xuerui said she had a shot at winning but caved under pressure.
“I think I had the chance to win but I did not use it very well. My opponent played a tough match while I played under pressure,” she said after the match.
