Saina sets up title clash with Li Xuerui in China Open

The match started with the two players trading a copule of quick points to equalize at 2-2, but Yihan won the next three points to take an early lead of 5-2. The Chinese, however, squandered her advantage as Saina staged a good come-back to steer the game in her favour to lead 11-7. But the game started to sway in favour of Yihan as she won the next four points equalize the scores. After a quick exchange they were hung in a dead-lock at 12-12 when, Saina used a rare deceptive shot to break free and won the next three points to lead 15-12. Yihan had no further opportunities, as she won only a single point in the remainder of the set, as Saina wrapped up the game 21-13 with a hard cross-court smash.

The second game was headed to a close finish, as both players exchanged points at regular intervals. Saina then unleashed a series of body-line smashes to gain the lead 11-9 at the half time mark. The game was inching the Indian's way, but a few silly mistakes and a couple of good shots from the Chinese swung the game as the score board read 17-17. The Olympic silver medallist from China made desperate attempts to get back into the game but Saina's resistance proved too hard to get through in the end. Losing just a single point in the next four, the Indian got her first match point. Saina wasted no time and closed the match 21-18 with a good judgement call.