The Indian will now take on Wang Xin, another Chinese, for the bronze
She may be a tigress on the court, shouldering the expectations of a billion people in the hunt for a medal, but badminton star Saina Nehwal had no answers to the prowess of world No.1 Wang Yihan of China as she lost 21-13, 21-13 in the semifinals of women’s singles at the Wembley Arena here on Friday.
The tall and athletic Chinese came to the match, sporting a knee cap and a back-support belt, kindling the hopes of the Indian camp. But Yihan’s game and firepower was too good as she toyed with Saina.
Saina took the first point with a smash and matched her opponent initially as the serve kept changing after every point. The Indian was sharp with her net dribbles and moved her opponent well as she handled the challenge with confidence.
Unable to keep pace
However, when Yihan, who has never lost to Saina in their five previous meetings, stepped up her game, Saina could not keep pace.
Once she took the lead at 5-4, the Chinese operated at a different level, smashing briskly and putting the shuttle beyond Saina’s reach. There was no doubt that Saina lacked the flexibility and the speed of Yihan; and her reactions too were a bit slow.
Saina herself had no hesitation in accepting that the Chinese was “too fast”’ for her comfort.
As it turned out, Yihan raced ahead as she reached 17-7 with a mix of smashes, drops, placements even as Saina lost her confidence and gave a few free points with uncharacteristic errors.
Slight revival
There was a bit of a revival when Saina won six points to two by her opponent. But that was mainly because the Chinese took her foot off the pedal and made a few errors, after the Indian had come up with two winners. Yihan then got her focus back as she clinched the first game with a smash.
In the second game, Saina fought hard as she recovered from 3-6 to be on par at 8-8 and even managed to take a 12-11 lead with a classy drop.
However, the Chinese allowed Saina only one more point and cruised into the final, winning 10 points in two spells with authority.
“She was much better prepared. I was not moving so well. She hit so many shots on the line,” said Saina, as she admired the superlative game of the Chinese even as she made no attempt to admit her inadequacy on the biggest stage.
“She was too fast and I made a few errors. I was not reading her serve properly,” said Saina, explaining as to how the Chinese managed to tap so many lollipops on top of the net straight at her body for sure points.
Initial nervousness
Yihan was confident of winning the gold and said that she was happy to get over the initial nervousness in beating Saina. “I made some mistakes in the first set and my coach warned me about these.
“In the beginning of the first set I was nervous and there were some problems in my strategy. The pressure was on the Indian after I won the first game. I had the confidence that I would win,” said Yihan.
Saina said that there was no problem with the recovery and that she felt physically fine except for being a bit slow on the court.
“I was playing well and leading 11-10 as well, but she played better,” said Saina, admitting that she would have to be better prepared against Wang Xin, the other Chinese, in the match for the bronze medal and assured that she would give her best. Xin lost to compatriot Li Xuerui 22-20, 21-18.
Though Saina has a 2-4 win-loss record against Xin, the Indian has beaten her twice in the last three meetings.
In fact, she beat her in straight games in the league phase of the Super Series Finals in December last year.
Keywords: London 2012, London Olympics 2012, Saina Nehwal
Saina was beaten hands down, fair and square. She's a good player but she lost against a much better player. The author of this article captured what actually happened in the court and the score 21-13,21-13 showed the dominance by the Chinese. Its really disheartening to see that some of the readers are tacitly trying to accuse that the Chinese of using performance enhancing drugs. Let's not be chauvinistic. Chinese are at the top of the medal position because of their hard work and discipline. Let us respect them.
Saina ,No doubt,,,ur the best for us and always remain so,ur something
special in the court,you can make it , we believe in you,keep trying we
pray for u.
Great job Sania.You took India to almost the highest level.Proud of you.The miss you had will only add to the experience which will one day push to the top spot.Keep up the great job & thanks you for making us proud-Venkat
The author of this article is being quite harsh on Saina. Don't be so
flowery, and be a bit more clinical and polite. You could do away with
usages like "as she toyed with Saina" etc.
saina- THE PHOENIX FROM INDIA- we are absoutely satisfied by your performance all along the event. Good luck for a Bronze even though it not a pressure from us. You had always been an inspiration till now and will continue to be.
Hey, dont worry!reallyYOU did mam GUD, bn forget that semi..,n plz concetrate on BRONZE.... plz...
As an actor said in a popular Bollywood movie "there is always a first
time, there is always a next time..next time".
Even if Saina wins a bronze it is extremely creditable performance as she will become the first Indian shuttler to medal in an olympics. All
big achievements begin with a small step, so there is nothing to ashamed of. Also in tennis all paes won was a bronze too. In 2016, Saina will be still young at 26 but Yihan Wang may have retired from the game by then hopefully!
Saina - very well played. 21-13, 21-13 belies the quality of the match. I guess if we Indians want the likes of Sainas to get gold, we need to get out of our beds early and start playing in whatever we are good at. For every Yihan there is a Li or Xin, for a Phelp there is Lochte, for a Wiggo there is a Froome. Maybe create a new reservation category for promising sportsman - engg / med colleges et al. Talent, competition and a life support model will make us win and not hope.
Saina - "GOLDEN BIRD OF INDIA". Keep up your hard work, give your best
for Bronze medal. Semifinals with World no - 1 was very tough ,
considering the opponent's quick reflex , height advantage and accuracy.
Well, minute things are critical.
we really feel proud of you , your coach and team. You will certainly
make us proud with a bronze, wish you good luck !!!
good luck saina............
all the best saina
Rio2016 is ours...go Saina...Congratulations to Badminton team for their excellent performance. Keep it up guys...
Jaihind
All the very best Saina for the next match. You have taken Badminton to
new heights in India and made every Indian proud.
Hope you will succeed in the next match and bring another medal to
India.
Excellent play. She is a star and real sports person even though she lost. She is perhaps the best member of the team. Good luck for future.
Saina, We are proud of you and will be so forever - irrespective of you lose or win - bring Gold or not - You have competed against the best and we wish you to be be stronger with every experience and inspire us to be strong too. We are ready to wait till next Olympics for the Gold. This time do give your best for the bronze :)
We feel proud of you Saina.Don't lose your confidence for next match.You have given best performance in these matches.You tried well,but unfortunately you lose the match.All the best for the next match.
Even number 3 and 4 in world is very good.
First of all hearty congrats to Saina for reaching the semi-finals which many couldn't do! Then about the match, the Chinese player just proved why she is the current world number One. I am sad to say this, but she is in a different league. But still Saina showed great spirit and kept a cool head wotsoever...Way to go Saina. We are proud of you, keep practicing hard you got plenty of time in the kitty.
all the best saina for next match
you will deserve the bronze medal for our country
proud to feel as an indian
Nice play Saina, we proud of an Indian all most ur fight is very nice better luck next time
It was disappointing to see India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal
defeated in straight games by world number one Yihan Wang in the
women’s singles semifinals at the London Olympics, but the good news
is she will be competing in the bronze medal play-off on Saturday. The
reasons for losing could be several. She had played the quarter-finals
last night and could have been very tired. And to play the semis this
morning would have been no joke. Had the game been played tonight, she
would have had enough rest, practiced a warm-up this morning and
perhaps won the gold. Maybe she was sluggish while playing the semis,
partly due to the pressures of playing the Olympics. She, however,
probably enjoys the privilege of being the first Indian woman shuttler
to reach the semis. One hopes Saina will do well tomorrow and clinch
the bronze medal. While none questions gold winner Yihan Wang's
playing abilities, and her sterling performance this morning at
Wembley,let us remember it is not uncommon for Chinese athletes or
players to take drugs and get it washed off the human system before an
event.
Saina Nehwal!!! Well Tryed for London Olympics 2012 Gold...Its ok... You have given your best...luck is not in our (India)favour...you are really determined, perfect player & true inspiration for all Younger generation...so all the very best for Bronze Medal...!!!
It's a splendid match and a thorough fight. All the very best for the next play. You have lots of time to prove a point so, just go there and do it. No tensions what so ever.
Saina, we all love you and know that tommorow you will definately prove yourself as a seeded player..:) All the Best!
Good Luck Saina!!
Saina, you gave the new height of popularity of badminton in India.
Hats off to you.
Reaching up to semi-finals itself was an achievement for Saina. Kudos to her for her grand performance and better luck in the future for the olympics as well as other World class tournaments. This performance of hers has certainly provided the countrymen with some proud moments, in an otherwise scenario where the other participants largely have performed disappointingly.
well done! saina give your best in bronze medal match.forget about defeat in semi-finals.
All the best..............................
A nation of a billion plus with all hopes on one person, is this a moment to be proud of or
utterly ashmed of? the current government is busy amassing wealth in scams whereas we
Indians are made to hang our heads in shame.
Excellent Played!!! Every time you beat records. So don't worry if one defeat u face against World's No. 1 Yihan Wang in the women’s singles semifinals at the London Olympics.
No matter it is the field of war or sports arena, to fight for win is must. Salute your hard fight with 2-1 losse.
Ever best looser.
keep it up!
But next time we indians sure for 01 Gold from your side.
Jai Hind!
Hats off to you,Siana.You are inspirational to everyone.Your determination is very well.DO well and go forth.......
good luck for your bronze medal match.
It was a really tough match for Saina against the world no. 1 Wang Yihan. Not so much for Yihan though.
She went into the match with a 0-5 record against Yihan.
This might have resulted in a mental block for Saina. Having never defeated the opponent before might have given her the nerves in the beginning of the match.
And it was always going to be an uphill task to beat the world no. 1.
She also made a critical error in not trying to dominate the match from the beginning.
She seemed a little lazy of her feet too, which didn't help her cause.
In short Wang Yihan was too good for her . She bested Saina completely.
In the end Saina made India by giving some competition to the Chinese and she still is in with the chance of a Bronze medal.
Good fight Saina against the world number one! Hats off to you for the
determination you have showed..You truly are an inspiration!!
No pressure on you for the bronze...Jus go on and give your best in the
next match!
She is real Player in the crowd of those who called themselves Star Olympian player. No controversy, No blaming on rules. She is just perfect,
saina is the good plyer
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