Guwahati: Saina Nehwal beat PV Sindhu in straight games in the marquee clash of the tournament to retain her women’s singles crown at the 83rd Senior Badminton Nationals which concluded here here Saturday.
The three-time former champion Saina used her powerful smashes to telling effect, registering a 21-18, 21-15 win in the summit clash against Sindhu, who herself is a two-time winner.
Earlier, Sourabh Verma completed a hat-trick of titles, claiming the men’s singles crown by defeating young Lakshya Sen in straight games 21-18, 21-13.
Saina and Sourabh went home richer by Rs 3.25 lakh while Sindhu and Sen received a cheque of Rs 1.70 lakh each.
“It was a good match and both of us played really well and it is a great feeling to win the nationals in such an atmosphere,” Saina, who has lost to Sindhu only once in international events at India Open 2017, told reporters.
“Sindhu is playing at the highest level for quite some time and we both are playing well and she is a very tough opponent. It was not a simple match, there were tough rallies and errors from her helped me to win,” added the senior Hyderabadi shuttler.
In the women’s final, egged on by a vociferous crowd, Saina used her trademark smashes to either finish points or create openings. Sindhu, on the other hand, lacked precision in her strokes, hit too many mid court returns, and also misjudged the shuttle at the back court.
Saina’s unforced errors initially cost her three points but she smashed her way to make it 3-4. Sindhu opened up a 7-5 lead but Saina managed to keep her nose ahead with a 11-10 lead at the break when Sindhu went wide.
Saina continued to dictate the pace, while Sindhu hit wide or at net to allow her opponent to lead 15-11. A superb cross court smash and a net dribble gave Sindhu two points before she again hit long.
With Saina leading 18-15, the match was stopped due to an issue pertaining to indoor lighting. On resumption, Sindhu played a smash and drop to reduce the deficit to 17-18, but Saina closed out the game with three power-packed smashes.
Saina took control of the second game early on and led 11-9 at the break. Thereafter errors crept in Sindhu’s game and Saina had no difficulty in winning it and with it the match and title.
PTI
