SYDNEY: In a major boost to her Olympic campaign, India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal beat Sun Yu of China to win the Australian Open Super Series Badminton title in Sydney on Sunday. This was Saina 10th Super Series title of her career.
Overcoming a poor start the Hyderabadi shuttler defeated the Chinese 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 in a match that lasted over an hour.
“I came into this tournament not expecting to win it and today I wasn't feeling as great as I was against Ratchanok or Yihan this week”, said Saina Nehwal to www.australianbadmintonopen.com.au of her tough victory and second Australian Open title.
Saina had become the first Indian woman shuttler to reach the World No.1 on April 2 last year, following her title win at the India Open. She won a silver at the World Championship in August in Jakarta, Indonesia. She also reached the finals of the China Open Super Series Premier in November but a nagging ankle injury saw her form dip as she missed a series of events before making a comeback at the India Open.
Earlier, Saina beat World No. 2 Yihan Wang of China to reach the final of women’s singles event.
Score: Saina Nehwal (IND)[7] beats Sun Yu (CHN). 11-21, 21-14, 21-19.
Meanwhile, celebrities, including sportstars, Bollywood stars and others congratulated Saina on her astonishing victory.
A moment of pride for the entire nation as @nsaina wins the Australian Open for the second time. Good luck for Rio! pic.twitter.com/p0mVskQA9Y
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 12, 2016
@NSaina awesome girl. Keep on shining and making our country so proud.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 12, 2016
Thank u so much sir ???????? https://t.co/NSkYUymb1m
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) June 12, 2016
T 2285 - @NSaina .. you continue to make us proud to be an Indian .. well done ..Champion at Australian Open ..!! pic.twitter.com/ldjUUsZSsb
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) June 12, 2016
Congratulations @NSaina for the stupendous victory. The entire nation is very proud of your sporting accomplishments.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2016
Congratulations to @NSaina on winning the Australian Open Super Series!
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 12, 2016
Congrats @NSaina on your Australian open win. Proud of your achievement!
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) June 12, 2016
Congrats @NSaina on winning the #australianopen ???? ???? Amazing display of physical & mental strength????You keep making us proud????
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 12, 2016
Wooohooooo! What a match ????????!! Congratulations @NSaina @OGQ_India @BAI_Media #RoadToRio
— Parupalli Kashyap (@parupallik) June 12, 2016
