Indian ace badminton player Saina Nehwal won gold dal at Malaysia Masters Grand Prix with a hard-fought victory in the summit clash here on Sunday. Up against Thai Pornpawee Chochuwong, the top-seeded London Olympics bronze-medalist triumphed 22-20 22-20 in a 46-minute clash.
The 26-year-old world No.10, who had been desperately looking for a title that boosts her confidence after recovering from a knee surgery last year, was squaring off against a rival ranked more than 50 places below her at 67th.
This was Saina’s 23rd title overall and the first after last year's Australian Open. The two were meeting for the first time in the circuit and Saina was on the back foot in the opening game when Chochuwong reeled off four consecutive points to grab the early initiative. But, she could manage to win the set. She fought hard to win the second set.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.jpg)
.webp)
.webp)