Saina wins second Australian Open title
SYDNEY: India's Saina Nehwal won her second Australian Open title when he came from a set down to beat China's Sun Yu 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 in a 71 minute final in Sydney on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Saina scalped two former world champions - Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon and Chinas's Wang Yihan in the quarter-finals and semi-finals en route to the final
The win in Sydney drove home a strong message that Saina will be a big threat and a strong contender for the women's singles gold in Rio de Janeiro in August. For the record Saina won the bronze medal at the last Olympics in London in 2012.
"I was not expecting to win the title as I am still getting back into shape after injuries hit me," said a delighted Saina who also won here in 2014.
Her first title this year augurs well for her country's medal hopes in Rio.
Denmark's Hans-Kristian Vittinghus won his first superseries title after coming through a three-set battle against South Korea's Jeon Hyeok-jin to prevail 21-16. 19-21, 21-11 in 70 minutes.
The men's doubles title saw seventh seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo beat compatriots and sixth seeds Angga Pratama- Ricky Karanda Suwardi in straight sets 21-14, 21-15 in 33 minutes. This is the second Superseries title for Marcus-Kevin this year.
The women's doubles title went to China's Bao Yixin-Chen Qingchen who upset second seeds Nitya Krishinda Maheswari-Greysia Polii in a closely fought final that stretched to 61 minutes. The Chinese won 23-21, 21-17.
China were also assured of the mixed doubles title with Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong getting the better of compatriots Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen 21-18, 21-14 in 38 minutes.
RESULTS (All Finals)
Men's singles
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (Den) bt Jeon Hyeok-jin (Kor) 21-16, 19-21, 21-11
Men's doubles
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Ina) bt Angga Pratama-Ricky Karanda Suwardi (Ina) 21-14, 21-15
Women's singles
Saina Nehwal (Ind) bt Sun Yu (Chn) 11-21, 21-14, 21-19
Women's doubles
Bao Yixin-Chen Qingchen (Chn) bt Nitya Krishinda Maheswari-Greysia Polii (Ina) 23-21, 21-17
Mixed doubles
Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong (Chn) bt Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen (Chn) 21-18, 21-14
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