Saina Nehwal survived a big scare in the ongoing Malaysia Open Super Series, where she had to come up with her A class game against her Chinese opponent Sun Yu in the quarter finals of the competition.
World number one Nehwal won the game in three sets with the score reading 21-11, 18-21 and 21-17.
The Indian had been enjoying an amazing run in the India Open Super series as well, which she won without losing a single set; she had not dropped any set in the Malaysia Open as well until today's (Friday) quarter-finals clash.
But the loss might have come at the right time for the Indian champ, who will understand the competitive nature of the tournament in Malaysia.
With this victory, the Indian has set up a huge semi-final clash with the top seed of the competition and world number 2, Li Xuerui, who has fought it out in her previous two matches to reach this stage of the tournament.
But without an iota of doubt, she is one of the best players in the badminton circuit.
The stage is set for an interesting clash with two top players battling it out for a spot in the finals of the Super Series.
Xuerui route to the semi-finals has not been very smooth as she was stretched to three sets in both her second round and her quarter-finals clash.
During her last eight clash with fellow countrywoman Wang Yihan, she showed some fine composure to finish the game on a winning note after dropping the first set. Nehwal could prove to be her strongest test in the competition.
But expect the top seed to come out all guns blazing when she meets Saina Nehwal. The Indian does not enjoy a good record against Xuerui, to whom Nehwal has lost 8 times and won only twice.
Will Malaysia Open prove to be her third victory? Only time will tell.
After all the Indian players have been ousted in the competition, there is pressure on Nehwal to perform and carry the Indian flag on her shoulders once again.
Where to Watch Live
The Malaysia Open Super Series Premier Live starts at 1 pm local time (10:30 am IST, 1 am ET and 5 am GMT).
Viewers in India can watch the Live coverage on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports 2 HD with live streaming option on Starsports.com.
Live updates of all the matches during the competition can be followed in the live scorecard.
