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Saina, Jwala-Diju win second match in World Super Series
Johor Bahru (Malaysia), Dec 3 (PTI):
Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal won her second match to keep alive her semifinal hopes while the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju also tasted victory to stay afloat in the World Super Series Masters Final here today.
World number eight Saina brushed aside Canadian Reid Charmaine 21-14 21-9 in just over an half and hour Group A match of the women's singles, while Jwala-Diju edged past Indonesian duo of Hendra Aprida Gunawan and Vita Marissa 21-18 21-17 in a 27-minute Group B mixed doubles match.
Saina, who lost her first match yesterday, mixed brilliant net play with powerful smashes to pin her rival. The 20-year-old Indian surged ahead to 8-7 and then broke loose, pocketing five points. Reid did try to make a comeback but Saina maintained the distance to seal the first game.
The second game saw the Indian in her attacking best as, from 7-7, Saina gathered six points and then five points on the trot to leave her opponent far behind. Saina now will have to win her next match against Thai Porntip Burananaprasertsuk to make it to the semifinals.
Jwala and Diju also shrugged off their last match disappointment and brought their campaign on track. Analysing the match, Diju said, "In the first game they were leading 11-16, then we come back. In the second game we were leading 3-0 but surged ahead 11-8 and moved to 16-14 but we held on to win it 21-17 in the end." Asked about tomorrow's match, Diju said, "We have played them and lost last time." Jwala-Diju will also have to make sure they win the next encounter against Thai duo of Songphon Anugritayawon and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul tomorrow.
