Saina Nehwal romps into Olympic semis following clinical performace

Arguably India’s strongest medal hope, Saina Nehwal went in to her quarter-final match against fifth seed Tine Baun of Denmark high on confidence after easing past  Jie Yao of the Netherlands. The 33-year old Baun came into the match after her opponent Sayako Sato retired following injury. The Dane, who was looking to make it to the Olympic semi-finals for the first time, is an experienced campaigner and known to be a wily opponent, so it promised to be a tight clash.

 First game

Saina started off the match better and raced into a 3-1 lead. But Baun soon found her feet and a terrific smash made it 3-2, with Nehwal having a minor lead. Just when it appeared the game was leveling out, Saina prevailed on a long rally and made it 4-2. Using clean smashes and with some help from Baun, who was committing unforced errors, Saina went on a run of 5 points and made it 8-2. Following some terrific netplay, Baun forced her way into the match and soon the scoreline read 9-6. Saina went in to the break at 11-7, and both players exchanged points after the break.

Once again, it was the Indian who went on a point-spree and by the time she was done, the scoreline read 17-10. Baun was clearly struggling, whereas Saina’s agility was holding her in good stead. Baun’s coach seemed to be offering advice, although it did little to improve her performance as a poor forehand by the Dane gifted Saina an eight-point lead at 19-11. There was still time for finesse as Saina crafted a beautifully disguised drop volley to reach her first game-point at 20-12. A couple of errors from the Indian gave Baun hope, but Saina closed out the first game 21-15. It appeared too easy at times, with the age difference between the players clearly playing its part.

Saina Nehwal returns against Denmark’s Tine Baun

Second game

Baun started stronger in the second game and raced to a 2-0 lead. A brilliant smash later, the Dane made it 3-1 and looked menacing. Saina quickly found her rhythm and levelled the game at 3-3. A bad judgement call from Saina and 2 high quality smashes from Baun enabled the Dane to take control of the game at 7-4. Saina managed to claw back 2 points, but Baun was beginning to assert her dominance on the game and soon lead 10-7. A cheeky drop shot by Saina saw the lead cut down to one and an unforced error from Baun levelled the game at 10-10. Once again, it was the Indian who went into the break leading 11-10, something which seemed unlikely after the Dane’s quickfire start.

The break seemed to have helped Saina more and she pumped her fists after racing to a 3-point lead at 13-10. A wayward shot from Baun made it 14-12 in Saina’s favour. Although Baun was being pinned back by the young Indian, the stalwart conjured up a stunning crosscourt smash to reduce the lead to a single point. An uncharacteristic forehand error from Nehwal lead to the game being levelled at 15-15. It was the Dane who was getting more and more animated as the game went on, and a drop volley which fell on the line, coupled with an unforced error by Saina, gave Baun a much-needed 3-point lead and some breathing space at 18-15. But the Indian was far from done in the game, clawed back 2 points and soon made it 17-18. Both players were seemingly stretched, but it was the Dane who had the first game-point in this game at 20-17. A brave forehand smash by Saina helped her save one gamepoint, and 2 errors later, which Baun gifted her, Saina levelled the game at 20-20.

The tension was mounting with the Dane clearly unhappy with the decision that went against her minutes ago, and it seemed to have unhinged her. Saina took full advantage and at 21-10 and match point, smashed a terrific forehand into the Dane’s body, who was unable to return it.

So there she was, the first Indian woman into the semifinals of the Olympics Badminton event. A sensational performance, the second game being a lot tougher than the first, but Nehwal never looked like giving it away. A fully deserved victory then for the Indian and she now faces Chinese Yihan Wang in the semis.

Well done Saina! Way to go girl!

Saina Nehwal defeats Tine Baun 21-15 22-20