Badminton: Saina Nehwal wins Indonesia Open

JAKARTA: Indian ace Saina Nehwal defeated China’s Li Xuerui to win the Indonesia Open Super Series in Jakarta. The world number five took the women's singles crown and $48,750 prize money by beating world number four Li from a set down 13-21, 22-20, 21-19. “I’m happy to win the tournament,” said Nehwal. “But there is still a lot to be done before the Olympics.” The final and deciding game was a closely-fought contest before Nehwal sealed her victory after Li’s weak backhand return hit the net. Li said she had a shot at winning but caved under pressure. “I think I had the chance but I did not use it very well,” said Li. “My opponent played a tough match while I played under pressure.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2012.