Aiming to make a comeback after injury, Saina Nehwal began her campaign at the Hong Kong Super Series in Kowloon with a hard-fought first round win over Thailand’s Porntip Buranaprasertsuk on Wednesday.

Nehwal, who had lost to the same opponent in the opening round at the China Open recently, avenged the loss with a 12-21, 21-19, 21-17 win over the World No. 12, PTI reported.

The fifth seeded Indian, who returned to action at the China Open following a three-month layoff due to injury, is looking to seal her Dubai Super Series Final spot.

Meanwhile in the men’s singles, HS Prannoy defeated China’s Qiao Bin 21-16, 21-18, while national champion Sameer Verma edged past Japan’s Takuma Ueda 22-20, 21-18.