Asian Games 2018: Saina Nehwal seals badminton medal for India with power-packed show

Jakarta: India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal is assured of a medal as she entered the women’s singles semi-finals of the ongoing Asian Games on Sunday.

Saina defeated Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 21-18, 21-16 to enter the last-four stage of the badminton women’s singles event at GBK Istora stadium in Jakarta. It was a superb comeback from Saina after trailing 3-8 in the opening game.

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The seasoned Indian took the first game in 22 minutes and wrapped up the match against the fourth seed by taking the second game in 20 minutes.

#TeamIndia at the #AsianGames2018#SainaNehwal proved her mettle on the court as she qualified for the Semifinals of Women's Single event. Saina beat #RatchanokIntanon of Thailand to assure India its first Women's Singles medal in #Badminon at the #AsianGames#AllTheBest pic.twitter.com/OBJ5BbDqpt

— Team India (@ioaindia) August 26, 2018

Saina, who has Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth medals, has now clinched her maiden Asiad medal. She is at least assured of bronze.

In the semi-finals, Saina will meet world number one Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei.

Later on Sunday, PV Sindhu will face Nitchaon Jindapol of Thailand in singles quarter-finals.