The stunning win over Chinese star Wang Xin on Friday was just what Saina Nehwal needed to get out of her lean patch. She came out inspired on Saturday and outclassed Tine Baun of Denmark to cruise 21-17, 21-18 in the semifinals of the BWF Super Series Finals in Liu Zhou (China).
The straight-game victory over the two-time All England champion helped Saina become the first Indian singles player to reach the summit stage of year-ending Super Series Finals. Mixed doubles pair of Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala Gutta had made the grade in 2009 but they lost in the final.
The Hyderabadi will now meet world champion Wang Yihan of China in the final on Sunday. Yihan is the only player in the current crop who has always beaten Saina.
The world No.1, who enjoys a 3-0 head-to-head record over the Indian star, defeated Saina twice this year - in the Indonesia Super Series Premier final and in the last eight stage of the China Masters. Saina, however, is unperturbed by these figures or past defeats.
The straight-game victory over the two-time All England champion helped Saina become the first Indian singles player to reach the summit stage of year-ending Super Series Finals. Mixed doubles pair of Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala Gutta had made the grade in 2009 but they lost in the final.
The Hyderabadi will now meet world champion Wang Yihan of China in the final on Sunday. Yihan is the only player in the current crop who has always beaten Saina.
The world No.1, who enjoys a 3-0 head-to-head record over the Indian star, defeated Saina twice this year - in the Indonesia Super Series Premier final and in the last eight stage of the China Masters. Saina, however, is unperturbed by these figures or past defeats.
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