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Saina Nehwal vs Sun Yu starts at 1730 IST. Preview: Saina Nehwal cruised into the semi-final of the All England Open as she overpowered former world champion Wang Yihan of China - 21-19, 21-6. It was her first win over Yihan. Her reward will be a last-four match against unseeded Sun Yu. [caption id=“attachment_2141193” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Saina Nehwal beat Wang Yihan in the quarters. Getty Images[/caption] Saina’s match lasted just 39 mins as she completely overpowered Yihan in the second game. She won 42 of the 67 points played and won 9 consecutive points to showcase her dominance. With the defeat of Wang Shixian, Saina is now the highest remaining seed in the draw. Sun Yu’s journey to the semis has been quite a tough one — she beat Nichaon Jindapon 21-9 16-21 21-17 in the first round before upsetting Li Xuerui 21-13 21-13 in the prequarters. The quarterfinal match was a big test too — she lost the first game 11-21 against Ratchanok Intanon, before winning the second 21-19 and taking advantage of her opponent’s injury to lead her in the third game 19-13 — before Intanon retired hurt. In the other semi-final, Carolina Marin [6], who beat Sung Ji Hyun [4] of Korea 21-18, 22-20, will clash with Tai Tzu Ying [7] of Chinese Taipei, who upset China’s Wang Shixian [2] 21-18, 9-21, 21-19. Olympic champion Lin Dan and world champion Chen Long will clash for the first time in nearly two years on Saturday after the Chinese greats reached the All-England Championship semi-finals. Fifth-seeded Lin took nearly an hour to beat Kento Momota of Japan 21-18 21-19 while top seed Chen’s one-sided 21-11 21-11 victory over Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan took 47 minutes. Lin’s victory means he is one match away from a ninth final appearance at the All-England event since 2004 as he bids for a sixth title, a record matched by only three other players. (with inputs from agencies).
All England Semifinal as it happened: Saina Nehwal beats Sun Yu 21-13, 21-13
FP Sports
• March 7, 2015, 18:37:14 IST
Live updates as Saina Nehwal takes on Sun Yu in the All England Championship semifinals.
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March 7, 2015, 18:37:14 (IST)
Saina Nehwal reaches the final of the All England Championship after beating Chinese Sun Yu 21-13 21-13.
March 7, 2015, 18:36:43 (IST)
Another wide shot and Saina has it! 21-13 21-13 to the Indian. She started slow in both the games, which stayed close up until the halfway mark, before which she simply took over. Didn’t really boss Sun — the scoreline is slightly flattering one might argue — but she’s done well to manouvre her way past a tricky opponent.
March 7, 2015, 18:34:24 (IST)
Sun just seems to have lost confidence. A drop shot ends at the net and Saina is two points away from the match.
March 7, 2015, 18:33:51 (IST)
Another smash from Sun goes wide — she looks tired too — and Saina is more than happy to leave it for a 18-13 lead.
March 7, 2015, 18:32:03 (IST)
A challenge goes Saina’s way after Sun’s smash just lands outside. Then Saina forces Sun near the net — where she has made errors throughout the match — and the Indian capitalises on another one. 16-13 to Saina now.
March 7, 2015, 18:29:38 (IST)
Another smash from Saina but this one is out. She still leads 14-13 though.
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March 7, 2015, 18:28:33 (IST)
Good stuff from Saina! Into the lead now with another smash right into Sun’s body this time. The Chinese block but it’s straight into the nets. 13-12 to Saina now.
March 7, 2015, 18:27:55 (IST)
The Indian contingent praying on the sidelines and it seems to be working. Another unforced error from Sun and it’s 12-12 now.
March 7, 2015, 18:27:04 (IST)
That’s more like it! Saina wins an easy point after the break and then smashes another one right down the middle — it’s unplayable and it’s 11-11.
March 7, 2015, 18:24:28 (IST)
Sun goes into the break with an 11-9 lead in the 2nd game. For those of you who have just logged in – Saina has already won the 1st game 21-13.
March 7, 2015, 18:23:00 (IST)
Brilliant smash from Yun to win her 10th point. It’s 10-8 now and the Chinese is getting into the groove. Saina not far behind but needs some good shots to keep her spirits up. Lots of ‘buck-up’ chants from the sidelines.
March 7, 2015, 18:20:49 (IST)
Sun tries to disguise a shot but it’s too obvious and straight into the net. The Chinese is trying things, and maintains a lead 9-7 lead.
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March 7, 2015, 18:17:50 (IST)
Sun leads 7-5 now – smashing it past Saina’s left and away from her backhand reach. Saina needs to start playing more aggressive badminton… not allow Sun to gain confidence.
March 7, 2015, 18:14:57 (IST)
Saina plays out a typical rally, where she keeps on going with high defensive shots instead of killing the point. And she finally puts it out. Sun’s slowly understanding the Indian’s game. Kill the points Saina! Sun 5-3 now.
March 7, 2015, 18:12:47 (IST)
Second game’s up and running and Sun’s with a narrow 3-2 lead. Saina forcing her to play at the net, where Sun doesn’t look too comfortable.
March 7, 2015, 18:08:41 (IST)
Another unforced error from Sun and that will award Saina the 1st game 21-13 — the Chinese hits it too hard and Saina is glad to see it sail over her head and out.
March 7, 2015, 18:06:41 (IST)
19-13 — game in the bag for Saina surely?
March 7, 2015, 18:04:31 (IST)
Sun wins a couple points on the trot but Saina matches her – and stretches the lead to 16-12. Slow and steady from Saina — but surely effective.
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March 7, 2015, 18:01:54 (IST)
And the lead! Saina storms from behind to take a 13-11 lead. Fine badminton this.
March 7, 2015, 18:01:12 (IST)
11-11! Saina’s right back in it…
March 7, 2015, 18:00:18 (IST)
And there’s the point Saina really needed — trails just 10-11 now. Sun shouldn’t be crumbling under pressure, but a more illustrious opponent can do that to nerves.
March 7, 2015, 17:57:53 (IST)
Yun’s lead is 10-8 now. Saina keeps the pressure on her counterpart – lots of unforced errors so far, without many smash or net winners.
March 7, 2015, 17:54:39 (IST)
Saina cuts Sun’s lead to two points. It’s 8-6 to the Chinese at the moment — her four consecutive points at the start of the match helping her on. But this is a marathon, not a sprint.
March 7, 2015, 17:52:12 (IST)
Yun maintains a healthy lead. Still 7-3 at the moment. Not a single smash point in the match so far.
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March 7, 2015, 17:50:14 (IST)
6-1 now! Wow, quick points — Sun probably knows Saina’s strength lies in a long drawn battle of rallies. The quicker Sun tries to finish the games, the more she will be at advantage. Saina’s experience should come in handy here.
March 7, 2015, 17:48:34 (IST)
Sun Yu surges into a 4-1 lead. No fear it seems — remember, Saina has never won anything at the All England.
March 7, 2015, 17:47:16 (IST)
Sun Yu takes the first two points against Saina. Good intent early on.
March 7, 2015, 17:39:46 (IST)
Saina and Sun’s head-to-head record stands at 1-1. The Indian beat Sun in their latest encounter 22-24 21-17 21-10 at the Star Australian Open in June last year.
March 7, 2015, 17:23:56 (IST)
Saina takes on unseeded Sun Yu in the All England semis today — and while her opponent may be unseeded (and less illustrious), she has shown that she is no pushover. In her three matches so far, she has beaten Nichaon Jindapon, Li Xuerui (world No 1) and Ratnachok Intanon.
It’s certainly not going to be an easy outing for India’s top ranked badminton player.
End of Liveblog