India women shuttlers – PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal – put up an impressive performance in the ongoing World Badminton Championship on Thursday in Jakarta, Indonesia as they booked their quarter finals spot in the mega competition.
Both Sindhu and Saina were brilliant as the former started the day with a thumping win over third seed, LI Xuerui, while the latter defeated Japanese Sayaki Takahashi later in the day. Though Saina was expected to easily win her battle against Takahashi, it was Sindhu's performance against Li Xuerui, which grabbed headlines as she produced a dazzling performance with the score reading 21-17, 14-21 and 21-17.
The match between Sindhu and Xuerui produced some brilliant shuttle play between the two superstars, but the Indian overpowered the Chinese with a brilliant show and knocked the London Olympics champion out of the competition.
Racing to a lead of 5-1 in the first set, Sindhu looked in great shape as she played an aggressive game to take the first set 21-17. But champion shuttler Li Xuerui showed her class in the second set to take a 6-1 lead and run away with the set -- 21-14 -- despite valiant efforts from Sindhu to come back and win the set.
With the game stretched to three sets, Sindhu looked confident right from the start and showed her class. Make no mistake, Li Xuerui's performance was not below par, but it was Sindhu, who outclassed her by taking her game to another level.
It was Sindhu's aggression, which played an important role in helping her defeat the Chinese shuttler, who was one of the favourites to clinch the world badminton championship.
Saina Nehwal, on the other hand, had to earn her victory against Takahashi as she was trailing by eight points in the first set. Saina's never give up attitude helped her come back with some terrific points and hence clinched the first set 21-18, after which she began to gain control over her Japanese opponent as she took the second set, 21-14.
Takahashi's performance was decent, but Saina's desire and hunger to succeed helped her cross the finishing line in superb style.
The match brought into light Sania's character and also increased her hopes of winning her first medal in the world badminton championship.
Saina Nehwal is expected to meet another quality shuttler, Wang Yihan in the round of 8, while PV SIndhu will face Sung Ji Hyun in the quarter finals of the competition.
