Saina struggles past Ying Tai in 1st round of Korean Open

Nehwal struggled to get past Tzu Ying Tai of Taipei in a first round match in Korean Super series.

A fit-again Saina Nehwal had to dig deep into her reserves to get past Tzu Ying Tai of Chinese Taipei in a gruelling first round match at the Korean Super Series in Seoul Wednesday.

The world number four Indian,who missed on-court action for more than a month due to a ligament injury in her right knee,eked out a 19-21 21-14 22-20 victory over Tzu Ying in the women’s singles match following a 50-minute hard-fought battle.

The first game ended on a disappointing note for Saina as Tzu broke away from 18-18 to pocket the game.

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In the second game,Saina didn’t give her opponent any chance and opened up a 5-1 lead and held her fort to roar back into the contest.

In the decider,both the shuttlers were locked in a fierce battle but it was Saina who had the last laugh as she erased a 8-13 deficit to clinch the game and the match.

Among other Indians,Jwala Gutta and V Diju beat England pair of Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork 21-19 21-18 in a 33-minute battle in the mixed doubles category.

Jwala then combined with Ashwini Ponnappa to record a come-from-behind win against Hong Kong’s Tsz Ka Chan and Hoi Wah Chau in the women doubles competition.

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The Indian pair won 18-21 22-20 22-20 after a 45-minute battle.