Saina Nehwal’s comeback has been cut short at the China Open as she bowed out to a spirited performance from unseeded Thai player Porntip Buranaprasertuk. (Saina Falters While Sindhu Shines)
Saina who was recovering from a serious knee injury after the Olympics debacle would have wanted to get her career back on track at the China Open but the Thai had other ideas.
This was a huge blow to Saina as she was expected to make a grand return at the China Open. After publicly saying that she is having doubts in her own abilities, Saina was bounce back in China.
While Porntip was considered good enough to spring a surprise in this competition, no one expected Saina to be her first victim. (Saina Falters While Sindhu Shines)
Saina lost the first set 16-21 but then she bounced back to win the second set by 21-19. But she eventually faltered in the third set as she lost 14-21 to the Thai. With the 2015 runner up now knocked out of the competition, India was dealt a huge blow to their medal aspirations.
All is not lost however as PV Sindhu qualified to the next round. Sindhu faced Taipei’s Lee Chia Hsin in her first round match as she looked to avoid another upset loss.
But she made short work of Lee as she stormed her way into the next round with a convincing 21-12, 21-16 victory in straight sets. (Saina Falters While Sindhu Shines)
All eyes will now be on Sindhu as she has now become India’s biggest medal hope at the China Open.
