Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal achieved a major milestone by reaching the semi-finals of the World Super Series Masters Finals on Friday (December 19). Nehwal qualified for the semis after defeating Mew Choo Wong of Malaysia in the group league stage. Saina Nehwal crushed the Malaysian shuttler by 21-10, 17-21, 21-16 to register her second successive win in the tournament.

 

However, the Indian player lost her opening match to Tine Rasmussen which put her in situation where she had to win both her quarter-final league matches to qualify for the semis. The world No. 10 Indian shuttler did the same and cruised into the semis to become the first Indian to do so in a World Series tournament. After defeating Hongyan Pi of France by 21-18, 21-13 in the fist match of the day, Saina Nehwal had to play competitive badminton against the Malaysian pro.

 

Placed in a do-or-die situation, Saina surprised Wong with her powerful smashes and opened up a nine-point lead at 13-4 in the first game. Mew Choo Wong tried to level the scores but could not match Saina who held on to her lead and won the game 21-10. Saina however, lost her concentration in the next game and allowed her rival to open a four-point lead at 9-13. The Malaysian player capitalized on the lead and defeated Saina in the second game. In the final game, Saina didn't give Wong much chance and wrapped up the match in 48 minutes.