Posted By
joe
On 06:17
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Badminton
Saina Nehwal admitted on Sunday he needs to be mentally stronger if he is to consistently beat the top Chinese players after falling to Wang Xin in the final of the YONEX SUNRISE Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold. It was Wang Xin's first win of the year & he dedicated it to her father.
Saina & Wang Xin have been swapping places in the world rating with the Chinese player now ranked rung higher at No. three.
After crumbling to a devastating 13-21, 21-8, 21-14 loss, Saina said: “I made lots of mistakes in the match, in the second game. I was one time bothered by line calls in the third game & paid the final cost. I ought to have kept my cold & it is a nice lesson for me.”
A fiery Saina who, missed the PROTON Malaysia Open Super series in January because of an ankle injury, took the opening game with a mix of drops & well placed winners.
The second game was different as Wang Xin, who had won her earlier Open event matches against Saina, upped the pace to move her opponent all round the court.
Her speed & decisive smashes saw her take it 21-8 when Saina took it simple after losing three points in a row from 8-9 to fall behind 8-16.
Hoping to capitalize on her ”rest period” Saina began the decider more aggressively but Wang Xin kept up her momentum to close out the 48-minute match.
”This is the third time I’m losing to her, but I thought I could beat here as I am physically alright.” My ankle is not an issue as it is taped up & I won’t use that as an excuse.
”We were level at 14-14 when I sent crosscourt shots in to the net. From there Wang Xin took advantage to run away with the title.”
In the second game, I was one time trailing 8-9 when he won three points in a row, I took it simple as I desired to take a breather & catch her in the decider but it worked.
The winner said: "This is my first in win of the year & I would love to dedicate it to my father."
Wang Xin made up for losing the 2009 final by adding this year’s title to the PROTON Malaysia Open Super series crown he won in 2010. Wang Xin took home US$9,480 while. Saina pocketed US$4,560.
Ladies
Singles: Wang Xin (China) bt Saina Nehwal (India) 13-21, 21-8, 21-14
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