Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Defending champion Saina Nehwal entered the quarterfinals of the Indonesian Super Series Premier after registering a comfortable straight-game victory over Sayaka Takahashi of Japan on Thursday. Compatriot RMV Gurusaidutt,too,advanced to the quarterfinals of the mens singles with a hard-fought win over Kazumasa Sakai of Japan,while it was curtains for Sourabh Varma.
World number two Saina took 39 minutes to outplay her 24th-ranked opponent 21-13 21-19 in a second round match. The Hyderabad girl will take on Carolina Marin of Spain in the quarters. Saina relied on her smashes and superior net play to steer clear of her Japanese rival.
The two started on equal footing and were tied till 6-6 before Saina surged ahead to open up a gap of six points. The Japanese managed to clinch a few straight points to reduce the gap to 13-14 at one stage,but the Indian showed her class and easily wrapped up the first game 21-13.
In the second game,Takahashi was 15-12 at one point but Saina clawed back to make it 18-all before prevailing 21-19.
In the mens singles,Gurusaidutt overcame his Japanese rival Sayaka 21-12 9-21 21-19. After a comfortable 12-21 win in the opening game,Gurusaidutt was completely outplayed by his opponent in the second game.
The deciding game was a see-saw battle and the scores were tied at 17-17 before the Indian upped the ante to advance to the next stage.
Gurusaidutt will meet Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in the last-eight stage. Indias campaign ended in both mixed doubles and womens doubles categories.
