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Preview: Saina Nehwal became the first Indian in 14 years to reach the final of the All England Open Badminton Championships by virtue of a straight games win over China’s Sun Yu on Saturday. She will now take on Spain’s Caroline Marin in the final. The third seed became the first Indian woman to enter the summit clash of the prestigious $500,000 tournament by defeating the tall Chinese 21-13, 21-13 in 50 minutes at the Barclaycard Arena, taking a 2-1 lead in career meetings. [caption id=“attachment_2142271” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AFP[/caption] Only two Indians – Pullela Gopichand (2001) and Prakash Padukone (1980) – have won the tournament till date. World No.3 Saina started poorly as her Chinese opponent took a 7-2 lead in the opening game. However, the Indian clawed back to level the game at 11-all and used her experience to easily advance to a 16-13 lead. From there, the Olympic bronze medallist won the next five points to clinch the game and take the lead in the match. Sun came back strongly in the second game as the duo went neck-and-neck till 12-all. However, while trying to hit a smash, the Chinese World No.18 appeared to have injured her ankle. She took a small break but had to rejoin soon and never looked the same. (IANS)
All England Championship Final as it happened: Saina blown away by Marin
All England Championship Final as it happened: Saina blown away by Marin
FP Sports
• March 8, 2015, 22:38:25 IST
Live updates as Saina Nehwal takes on Caroline Marin in the All England finals.
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 "All England Championship Final as it happened: Saina blown away by Marin")
March 8, 2015, 19:45:39 (IST)
Carolina Marin beats Saina Nehwal 16-21, 21-14, 21-7
March 8, 2015, 19:45:13 (IST)
Another one of those smashes and Marin has become the first left-handed woman in 20 years to win the All England Championship. She is also the first Spanish woman to do so.
March 8, 2015, 19:43:19 (IST)
Marin is just ruthless. 20-7
March 8, 2015, 19:42:46 (IST)
Marin is covering so much of the court — Saina is like a sitting duck now — and trailing 7-19 now.
March 8, 2015, 19:41:40 (IST)
Saina gets a point back — but Marin is relentless. Her strong return comes off stronger from Saina’s racquet and goes out. Marin 17-5 now
March 8, 2015, 19:40:03 (IST)
Marin is happy enough to let Saina defend all her strong returns — before one of them goes wrong. It happens again and Saina attempts to drop it, and the point is Spain’s. 15-4 now.
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March 8, 2015, 19:38:47 (IST)
Marin leads 11-4 at the changeover — and then gets to 12-4 in the point after. Saina frowning at herself now.
March 8, 2015, 19:36:58 (IST)
10-4 now — with another trademark left-handed shot. Saina’s shoulders have drooped now.
March 8, 2015, 19:35:52 (IST)
Super stuff from Marin — disguises a smash perfectly before dropping it short. What a lovely shot — and one which gives her a 9-4 lead.
March 8, 2015, 19:34:44 (IST)
Marin just seems to have figured out where Saina’s weakness lies. She’s simply too quick in her returns and kills it before Saina can get a good look. 8-3 now, wow.
March 8, 2015, 19:33:10 (IST)
6-2 now and Marin is dominating Saina with her smashes. The Indian simply can’t get her returns right and over the net.
March 8, 2015, 19:32:05 (IST)
Marin completely wrong-foots Saina with a flick to one side followed by a smash to the other. The World Champion leads 4-2.
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March 8, 2015, 19:31:15 (IST)
Unforced error from Marin and that will bring a point back for Saina, who now trails 2-3.
March 8, 2015, 19:30:07 (IST)
Saina’s attempt at a smash is right into the net before she gets a net return wrong. Marin leads 3-1 now.
March 8, 2015, 19:29:06 (IST)
Well Saina’s got the first point in this game. A few good ones should return her swagger — which we saw in the first game.
March 8, 2015, 19:28:28 (IST)
3rd GAME BEGINS
March 8, 2015, 19:26:11 (IST)
That’s it then! Marin kills off the final point and takes the 2nd game 21-14. Super comeback from a 6-10 deficit.
March 8, 2015, 19:25:38 (IST)
What a turnaround for Marin! The drift does it for her again — just keeps her long return in. 20-14.
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March 8, 2015, 19:24:38 (IST)
Excellent point for Marin as she drops it to Saina’s right. Saina slow off the mark. 14-18 now.
March 8, 2015, 19:23:24 (IST)
Saina just sets it up beautifully for Marin to bang down with a perfect smash. The Spaniard leads 17-13.
March 8, 2015, 19:22:55 (IST)
Saina hits her return after a long rally into the net. She’s certainly lost a bit of confidence. 13-16 the Indian trails
March 8, 2015, 19:21:54 (IST)
And this time into her body! Marin has momentum on her side. 15-13.
March 8, 2015, 19:21:04 (IST)
What a rally and what a smash! Marin gets everything right there, twists her body at the end moment to get enough left on it and smack! 13-12 into the lead. And there’s the whoop of delight too.
March 8, 2015, 19:19:54 (IST)
12-12 — Marin challenged the decision but it’s in. Saina’s point.
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March 8, 2015, 19:18:34 (IST)
Saina gives up her lead for the first time this game — trails 11-12 now.
March 8, 2015, 19:18:06 (IST)
Marin’s cut the two-point lead with a cracking smash right into Saina’s body. 11-11 now. The heat is on.
March 8, 2015, 19:16:14 (IST)
This time the leave works for Saina — she goes into the break leading 11-9.
March 8, 2015, 19:15:41 (IST)
Slam! Marin uses the wind against her and just drops a shot ahead of Saina. 9-10 the Spaniard trails.
March 8, 2015, 19:14:48 (IST)
That drift is not really working in Saina’s favour. It just helps one of her returns past the line and out. Saina still leads, but it’s 10-8 now.
March 8, 2015, 19:13:24 (IST)
Service from Marin — smash from Saina to her opponent’s weaker side — point. 10-6.
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March 8, 2015, 19:11:48 (IST)
She gets it right this time, Saina does. Marin’s return is just out and the lack of a roar of delight from her is enough proof. The Indian leads 9-5 now.
March 8, 2015, 19:10:58 (IST)
A short net battle for the 12th point — and Saina takes it. Leads 7-5 now.
March 8, 2015, 19:10:15 (IST)
Another leave from Saina and it’s in again! 5-6 now. Judgement Saina, judgement!
March 8, 2015, 19:09:20 (IST)
Saina leaves a long return and it’s just in. Marin trails 3-6 now and has to take care Saina doesn’t run away with it like in the previous game. Saina meanwhile, 15 points from history.
March 8, 2015, 19:08:16 (IST)
Quick drink for both players as Saina leads 6-2.
March 8, 2015, 19:07:37 (IST)
OUT! Marin with the simplest of opportunities to slam one — but she’s put it out. It takes speed, power and accuracy for a smash. That one had the first two, not the last. Saina 6-2 up now.
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March 8, 2015, 19:06:07 (IST)
Oh superb! Great reach and flex from Saina to get a short receive over the net and Marin, half not expecting it, blows the point. Saina leads 3-1.
March 8, 2015, 19:05:10 (IST)
Saina takes the first point with a classic smash down the line — before putting the second point right into the net. Marin screams in delight, but Saina seems unfazed. 1-1.
March 8, 2015, 19:04:06 (IST)
2nd GAME BEGINS
March 8, 2015, 19:02:31 (IST)
There it is! Saina takes the 1st game 21-16 — that point was always coming — more about when rather than if. Some nerves at the end of that game, but she’s folded it.
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