Indonesia Open | Saina scrapes through after major scare against Pai Yu-po
In what was the first meeting between the World No. 8 and the World No.23, Saina Nehwal defeated Taiwan's Pai Yu-Po 21-11, 19-21, 21-15 to enter the second round of the BCA Indonesia Open on Tuesday. In mixed doubles, however, the pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Manu Attri were knocked out in Round 1.
Saina looked in control in the first game – winning it 21-11. However, Pai fought back in the second game, and after a see-saw battle, where the players were tied at 19-19 towards the end, won the game 21-19. In the decider, Saina raced to a 12-7 lead before Pai restored parity at 13-13. But, Saina held her nerves and conceded just two more points to her opponent – winning it 21-15.
Saina will take on Fitriani Fitriani of Indonesia in the next round.
The day ended on a sour note for India though, as their mixed doubles pair of Manu Attri and Ashwini Ponnappa were knocked out against Singapore's team of Yong Kai Terry Hee and Wei Han Tan. The Indian pair lost the one-sided first game 14-21, but they did put up a strong fight in the second one. The teams kept on exchanging leads throughout the second game till they reached 25-25. The Singapore pair won the last two points though, and with that the match at 21-14, 27-25.
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