As the All England Championships get set for Finals Sunday, there is just one India left in the fray. Saina Nehwal is now on the cusp of history, just one step away from becoming the first ever Indian woman to win the prestigious tournament. Here are six things you need to know about Saina Nehwal’s 2015 All England campaign.
1. Third Seed Saina
The Indian shuttler came into the The All England Championships with her best ever ranking at the event. Seeded third, she avoided any high ranked opponents in the first few rounds – beating Bellaetrix Manuputty 21-8, 21-12 in her opener and then taking out Korea’s Kim Hyo Min 21-15, 21-15 for a spot in the quarters.
2. Old Foes
Wang Yihan stood between Saina and a semi-finals berth. The Chinese had beaten Saina eight out of the nine times the two had faced each other in the past, including the 2012 London Olympics semi-final that Saina had lost 13-21, 13-21 to be relegated to the bronze medal match.
3. Revenge Best Served Cold!
After inintially trailing 6-2, Saina stepped on the gas and closed the opening game 21-19 against Yihan Wang in the semi-final at the All England. No stopping her from there as she went on freeze out the Chinese and close the 21-19 21-6 victory in just 39 minutes.
4. From a Stalwart to a Newbie
Saina’s opponent in the semi-finals, Sun Yu, may have been unseeded, but at 21 years of age she is often referred to as the “next big thing” in Chinese badminton. On her way to the semi finals against Saina, Sun Yu had beaten world number 1 Lu Xueru and 8th seed Ratchanok Intanon in the previous rounds.
5. Finally... The Finals
Clearly out on a mission this time round, Saina stamped her supremacy all over today’s semi final tie. The young Sun Yu was beaten 21-13, 21-13 in 50 minutes. Saina finally booking her first ever spot in the All England finals, after failing to get past the semis in two previous campaigns.
6. Hello Marin!
Saina’a opponent in the Final on Sunday will be Spain’s Carolina Marin. She’s seeded sixth at the All England but most importantly, Marin has lost to Saina all three times the players have faced each other, including the Syed Modi International Championships in January just this year.
So... What do you think? History beckons?
(The Women’s Final at the All England Championships starts at around 6pm IST on sunday.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)