Saina Nehwal ended her campaign at the ongoing Asian Games with a bronze in women’s singles after losing to world No 1 Tai Tzu Ying 21-17, 21-14 in the semi-finals on Monday.
Chinese Taipei’s top seed accelerated in the last few minutes to snuff out the Indian’s chances soon after she had taken a slender lead.
Tai Tzu opened up an early lead for herself but Nehwal, who had fought back from 3-11 down in the quarter-final against Ratchanok Intanon, won a few quick points to level the score to 8-8 in the first game. She trailed her higher-ranked opponent by just one point headed into the interval.
But Tai Tzu blazed through the next few points to four game-point opportunities. Nehwal saved the first one but could not hold one much longer dropping the first game 17-21.
In the second game as well, the top seed opened up an early lead, but Nehwal won four points on the trot to level at 6-6. The India began to attack and won a couple of points to draw level again at 10-10 but a simple dribble at the net handed Tai Tzu a one-point lead at the interval.
But when Nehwal got the lead for the first time in the match after drawing level six times, Tai Tzu flicked on to a higher gear and wrapped up the game in a flurry of points to win 21-14.
This was the Indian’s 10th straight defeat to Tai Tzu and she will come home with a singles bronze. It is still a historic medal as it is the first by an Indian woman. It is also first in badminton singles for India since Syed Modi’s bronze in 1982.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!