Jakarta: Saina Nehwal seeking to become the first world champion from India in badminton ended in anguish as he lost in straight games to Carolina Marin holder in addressing the summit of the mega-event here today.
The Indian world number two 16-21 19-21 fell to his nemesis number one of Spain in a match that lasted 59 minutes. It was the second consecutive defeat in an important end for Saina Although the silver medal settled is the best performance by an Indian in the top flight.
Saina had lost to the same opponents in the final All England Championships earlier this year.
Saina Nehwal and Carolina Marin. AFPSaina Nehwal and Carolina Marin. AFP
This was the fifth medal for India at the World Championship after PV Sindhu bronze twice in 2013 and 2014 and Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa took bronze legendary Prakash Padukone 2011. Shuttler noted in women’s doubles in editing He was the first Indian to win a bronze medal in the 1983 edition.
With a 3-1 head-to-head on the Spanish to enter the game, Saina had the edge on paper.
But the brave Spanish, who got the better of Saina in the final of the All England at its most recent meeting, seemed more pumped when the process began. Clenching his fists and let out a cry almost every point earned for her, Carolina struck the umpire more than once for his antics and was even reprimanded for abusing his racket.
However, the world number one, made sure that the card marked score in their favor after breaking 7-7 when Saina sunk an easy return on the net.
Conveniently located to 11-8 when the break was taken, Carolina made shortly 15-9 complimentary errors Saina and some precisely placed shots from the baseline. The beleaguered Indian found it difficult to deal with the energy of his opponent and failed the challenge of pace.
In fact, the fierce smashes, which are a hallmark of game Saina, came racket Carolina, the most impressive is the one with which he earned his first match point.
Down 13-20, Saina held for a few points before Carolina ended the first game when the Indian hit one wide after 24 minutes.
In the second game, however, Saina came back strongly to begin with, inducing aggressive regular errors Carolina. Saina led 11-6 at halftime, riding a much improved over the baseline rallies performance.
But refuse to be bogged down, Carolina, which was much more adventurous than the Indian when it came to approach the net, recovered six back-pointer to make it 12-12. Getting around the track with lightening pace, Carolina literally tired of India with their relentless returns and Saina led body with amazing precision.
But it was not a walk in the park Carolina as Saina rallies held during some absorbent in a battle of attrition. Locked in 17-17, while Carolina seemed consistently shot, Saina’s body language is not very positive, as his opponent took a 20-18 advantage to inch toward his second consecutive world title.
The inevitable was delayed when Carolina missed the first championship point before clinching the second and collapse on the ground in pure joy and relief.
