Saina Nehwal lost her 3rd group match against Tzi Tzu Ying 21-16,18-21 and 14 -21 at the BWF World Super Series finals played at Dubai on Friday. It was an excellent performance by Saina Nehwal but could not finish the job as it was an all important win match for her.
In the first game, Saina began well taking a 2-1 lead. She maintained the lead in the first half of the match. The Indian player was leading 8-7, but Tai came back to take 2 points for a 9-8 lead. At the interval, Saina Nehwal led 11-9. After the interval, Saina continued to dominate the game and took a 15-11 lead. Saina Nehwal played an excellent game and won the first set 21-16.
In the second game, both players took alternate points to equal at 1-1. Saina took 2 points in succession for a 3-2 lead. Tai was trailing 3-5 but came back strongly to reduce the gap to 4-5. Tai then took 4 points in succession for an 8-4 lead. At the interval, Tai was leading 11-5. After the interval, Tai continued her dominance as she lead 13-6. Saina Nehwal then took 3 points in succession to reduce the gap to 9-13. Saina made an excellent come back from 10-15 down the Indian player took 4 points in a row to reduce the gap to 14-15. Saina and Tai played some excellent shots to equal the score at 16-16. Tai took 4 points in a row to take a 20-16 lead before Saina Nehwal saved two match points, but Tai held her nerves to win the second set 21-18.
In the third and deciding game Tai began well taking a 3-1 lead. Saina made a lot of mistakes. She was always trailing in the game playing poor strokes. Tai had a 9-5 lead. At the interval, Tai was leading 11-7. After the interval, Tai dominated the game and took 6 points in succession to lead 17-9. Saina Nehwal tried her best but could not win the match. Tai took the third game 21-14.
Saina and Carolina both lost 2 matches, but Carolina Marin qualified because of better point’s difference.