Saina pips Cheng en route quarterfinals in Malaysian Open

New Delhi: Indian ace Saina Nehwal did not break much sweat against Chinese Taipei’s Shao Chieh Cheng and notched up a straight-game victory to reach the quarterfinal of the Malaysian Super Series in Kuala Lumpur today.

The fourth seeded Indian rode on her smashes and better net play to outwit Cheng 21-19, 21-8 in a 31-minute match in women’s singles.

The world number four Indian will next meet two-time All England champion Tine Baun of Denmark on Friday.

Saina took time to get off the block and after lagging 2-6 initially, the Indian was left to do the catch-up act for most part of game.

The Chinese Taipei girl held the lead throughout the game before losing it at the end as a dominant Saina reeled off six straight points to zoom from 15-19 to pocket the game.

She continued her dominance in the second game too as she did not give any chance to her rival to make any sort of recovery after opening up a three-point lead in the beginning and in no time eased into the quarterfinals.

Saina had also reached the quarterfinals last week at the Korea Open.

PTI