Saina, Jwala-Diju join semifinals of World Series Masters
December 4th, 2009 - 6:41 pm ICT by IANSJohor Bahru, Dec 4 (IANS) India’s Saina Nehwal scored an emphatic 21-13, 21-19 victory over Thailand’s Porntip Buranaprasertsuk to reach the semi-finals of the World Super Series Masters Finals badminton here Friday.
There was more cheer for India as mixed doubles pair of V. Diju and Jwala Gutta also reached the semi-finals after defeating Thailand’s Songphon Anugritayawon and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul 21-12, 21-8.
Saina registered her second successive victory in Group A after losing to Malaysian Wong Mew Choo in the first match.
Wong Mew defeated Canadian Reid Charmaine 21-6, 21-13, thus qualifying for the semi-final with three wins.
Top seeded Saina said that she has now adjusted to the conditions and well prepared for the semi-finals.
“I always believed that it will go down to the final match of the preliminary rounds,” said Saina.
“There is some draft in the stadium and it is a distraction, hence I could not control some of my shots. But with the preliminary round over, it is time to focus on the semi-final and whoever I have to play, I am prepared,” said the World No 8.
Group B is still tight with Juliane Schenk of Germany and Yao Jie of Netherlands both winning two matches. Schenk will play her last match against Thailand’s Ponsana Salakjit who has one win from two outings.
In mixed doubles, Jwala and Diju after losing their first Group B match, sealed their place with two successive victories.
With Anthony Clark-Dinna Kellogg virtually certain of taking the top spot in Group B, the race was wide open for the second spot but Diju-Jwala sealed the berth Friday.
In the men’s singles, there former world champion Taufik Hidayat ended his campaign without a win. The Indonesian was beaten by Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Yu Hsin 21-17, 21-15.
Both players are already out of the competition with world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei and Bao Chunlai making the cut for the semi-finals from Group A.
In Group B, the race for the two semi-finals spots were thrown wide open after Jan Jorgensen beat Korea’s Park Sung Hwan in straight games.
The Danes’ 21-19, 21-13 win means Peter Gade must beat Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana to ensure his place in the last four.
A Boonsak win will mean all three players - Boonsak, Park and Gade - will have two wins each.
- Saina wins her second Group match at Super Series Masters - Dec 03, 2009
- Jwala-Diju in Super Series Masters finals, Saina loses in semis - Dec 05, 2009
- Saina moves to elimination round of Super Series Finals - Dec 15, 2011
- Saina lone Indian semi-finalist in Badminton Asia - Apr 16, 2010
- Saina loses opening round of Super Series Masters Final - Dec 02, 2009
- Shuttler Kashyap qualifies for London Olympics - Apr 28, 2012
- Saina clinches Hong Kong Super Series title - Dec 12, 2010
- India Open Super Series: Saina makes a tearful first round exit (Roundup) - Apr 27, 2011
- CWG badminton: Saina clinches gold after thrilling win - Oct 14, 2010
- India Open: Guru Sai Dutt shocks Hashim (Lead, adding results) - Jun 11, 2010
- Saina in final of Hong Kong Open - Dec 11, 2010
- India Open: Kashyap goes down fighting in semis - Apr 28, 2012
- India Open Super Series: Saina makes shock first round exit (Second Lead) - Apr 27, 2011
- India Open: Guru Sai Dutt shocks Hashim - Jun 11, 2010
- CWG Badminton: Saina, Kashyap storm into semifinals (Roundup) - Oct 12, 2010
Tags: berth, charmaine, chinese taipei, dinna, final match, gutta, hsieh yu, hsin, johor bahru, juliane schenk, jwala, last match, lee chong wei, mixed doubles, porntip, saina nehwal, semi finals, taufik hidayat, world champion, yao jie