<p>The fifth-seeded Saina, who was expected to win at the event given the absence of some top Chinese players, lost 21-11, 22-20 to her little-known Japanese rival.<br /><br />The match was contested evenly to start with but Hirose, who was a semifinalist at the event once before as well, took control by breaking through the rallies that Saina generally wraps up in her favour.<br /><br />Saina came back in the second game and it went neck and neck but the Indian ultimately fell short as Hirose held her nerves to clinch the issue.<br /><br />With Saina’s loss, India’s campaign at the event ended as all her compatriots had already crashed out in previous rounds. <br /><br />Dan halts Zwiebler<br />Four-times winner Lin Dan of China ended the brave run of Germany's Marc Zwiebler with a 21-9, 16-21, 21-11 victory in the semifinals on Saturday.<br /><br />Zwiebler's victims on his march to the last four included world champion Chen Jin but Olympic gold medallist Lin proved a bridge too far.<br /><br />The Chinese was at his best in the first game with a classic mix of power and guile but the German fought back bravely in the second only for Lin to regain control early in the decider and go on to clinch a place in the final for a seventh time.<br /><br />Zwiebler, 27 on Sunday, was generous in defeat, telling reporters after his career-best run: "It's been a very great week for me. No excuses. He was the better player today but maybe next time I can win another game or two."<br /><br />The German then headed for the airport to fly out for a holiday in Italy, twice postponed this week as he progressed in the tournament further than he had ever anticipated.<br />Meanwhile in the quarterfinals on Friday, World number one and defending champion Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia defeated eighth seed Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand 21-15, 21-7 while fourth seed Peter Gade of Denmar lost to Chinese fifth seed Chen Long 21-12, 21-12.</p>
<p>The fifth-seeded Saina, who was expected to win at the event given the absence of some top Chinese players, lost 21-11, 22-20 to her little-known Japanese rival.<br /><br />The match was contested evenly to start with but Hirose, who was a semifinalist at the event once before as well, took control by breaking through the rallies that Saina generally wraps up in her favour.<br /><br />Saina came back in the second game and it went neck and neck but the Indian ultimately fell short as Hirose held her nerves to clinch the issue.<br /><br />With Saina’s loss, India’s campaign at the event ended as all her compatriots had already crashed out in previous rounds. <br /><br />Dan halts Zwiebler<br />Four-times winner Lin Dan of China ended the brave run of Germany's Marc Zwiebler with a 21-9, 16-21, 21-11 victory in the semifinals on Saturday.<br /><br />Zwiebler's victims on his march to the last four included world champion Chen Jin but Olympic gold medallist Lin proved a bridge too far.<br /><br />The Chinese was at his best in the first game with a classic mix of power and guile but the German fought back bravely in the second only for Lin to regain control early in the decider and go on to clinch a place in the final for a seventh time.<br /><br />Zwiebler, 27 on Sunday, was generous in defeat, telling reporters after his career-best run: "It's been a very great week for me. No excuses. He was the better player today but maybe next time I can win another game or two."<br /><br />The German then headed for the airport to fly out for a holiday in Italy, twice postponed this week as he progressed in the tournament further than he had ever anticipated.<br />Meanwhile in the quarterfinals on Friday, World number one and defending champion Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia defeated eighth seed Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand 21-15, 21-7 while fourth seed Peter Gade of Denmar lost to Chinese fifth seed Chen Long 21-12, 21-12.</p>
