JOIN USBadminton ace Saina Nehwal brought her ‘A’ game to the court on Friday to give India a perfect Independence Day gift as she fought her way into the semifinals of the BWF World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The 25-year-old Hyderabadi, up against Chinese heavyweight Wang Yihan, took an hour and 12 minutes to assure herself her first medal at the championship with a 21-15, 19-21, 21-19 win at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium.
Saina will be the second Indian woman after P V Sindhu to win a medal at the meet. Sindhu had won bronze in the 2013 and 2014 editions. Saina’s presence in the semifinals means India will have a medal for the third straight time.
“I am very lucky. It was like a final. It was very special,” said Saina. “At the highest level, the difference is very little. Everyone is good in the top 10. The margin of error is very little. Luck played a big role and today, my patience also paid off,” she said.
“It is a first in many ways. So I will want to thank my coaches, my families, parents and my hard work. It is a god’s gift for me,” added Saina, who will play Lindaweni Fanetri of Indonesia in the semifinal.
“Linda is very strong. I played her two years back. It will be a different match. So you never know,” said Saina.