Semi-final report: Saina Nehwal thrashed Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin in straight games to storm into the women’s singles final of the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold on Saturday. [caption id=“attachment_3213570” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Saina Nehwal in action during her quarter-final clash in the ongoing Malaysia Masters. PTI[/caption] World No 30 Yip Pui Yin lost steam after going neck and neck till the break in the first game before World No 10 Saina used all her experience to take the match 21-13, 21-10 in just over 30 minutes. The 26-year-old Indian started the first game taking a two-point lead before Pui Yin bounced back to take the lead 8-5 and further consolidated it to 11-9 in the breather. Coming back, top seeded Saina picked her game up to overhaul the lead to 15-13 in her favour before taking full advantage of the many errors from Pui Yin to take six points in a row and pocket the first game 21-13. In the second game, Saina kept her dominance and raced to a 6-0 lead before a sizzling cross court smash helped her to extend it to 11-5 in the break. The 29-year-old Hong Kong shuttler tried her best to reduce the gap but still trailed 8-15 before losing track as Saina extended her lead to 18-10. Saina then wasted no time in adding three more points to take the second game 21-13 and extend her head-to-head record against Pui Yin to 6-2. In the final, Saina will take on unseeded Thailand teenager Pornpawee Chochuwong, who beat second seeded Hong Kong’s Cheung Ngan Yi 21-19, 20-22, 21-18 in the other semi-final.
Malaysia Masters Final Highlights: Saina Nehwal wins title with 22-20, 22-20 win over Pornpawee Chochuwong
Catch the live updates on the final match between Saina Nehwal and Pornpawee Chochuwong, in the ongoing Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold tournament.
 "Malaysia Masters Final Highlights: Saina Nehwal wins title with 22-20, 22-20 win over Pornpawee Chochuwong")
Such a pleasing feeling to see @NSaina with a gold medal round her neck! Congratulations Champ! ☺️👍 pic.twitter.com/Hhck0j9RRh
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 22, 2017
What immense will power to come back so soon and win a GPG. Congrats @NSaina. You are truly a warrior and a great role model @OGQ_India
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) January 22, 2017
Just 5 months after knee surgery @NSaina wins Malaysia GPG. Glad @OGQ_India cud facilitate surgery n be thr for her when she needed it most
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) January 22, 2017
Well done Saina congrats @NSaina
— Harvir Singh (@NHarvir) January 22, 2017
Berjalan ketat sepanjang pertandingan, Saina Nehwal sukses meraih Gelar Juara #MalaysiaGPG. Kalahkan Porpawee 22-20, 22-20 di Final. pic.twitter.com/ye3uWbEDkV
— Antonius Agustian (@antoagustian) January 22, 2017
.@awadhewarrior's Saina Nehwal starts 2017 on a high! Wins the #MalaysiaGPG final in a hard-fought match. Well done! pic.twitter.com/e68gRB2ATv
— Premier Badminton League (@PBLIndiaLive) January 22, 2017
Saina Nehwal begins 2017 on a winning note
After a largely disappointing and injury-curtailed 2016, India’s badminton star has begin the new year with the Malaysian Masters title.
Her victory indicates that Saina is getting back to her best after her knee surgey and rehabilitation.
.@NSaina is champion in Malaysia!!! Wins 22-20, 22-20 against Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand!!! Proud to support you Saina!!!!🏸🥇🙂
— OGQ (@OGQ_India) January 22, 2017
Indian masterclass! Saina Nehwal wins the #MalaysiaGPG and starts 2017 with a bang! Way to go champ! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/sbCPBvdEf3
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) January 22, 2017
Saina Nehwal wins!
Indian star beats Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 22-20, 22-20 in a closely-fought final to clinch the trophy.
It is neck to neck between these two now. @NSaina takes a slender lead of 13-12. #MalaysiaGPG
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) January 22, 2017
Saina Nehwal takes on Pornpawee Chochuwong in the final
The Indian starts on a winning note against the Thai teen in the Malaysia Masters final, winning the first game 22-20.
A facile win for Saina in the end. Reaching the final of the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold is is an extremely positive result for her, given that her progress was stymied last year due to injury.
That’s it from us this evening. Don’t forget to catch our live updates from the women’s singles final tomorrow, and don’t forget to cheer for Saina. Till then, it’s goodbye.
Complete domination from Saina Nehwal as she eases into the finals of #MalaysiaGPG! All the best for the final! pic.twitter.com/MnWPrza2fG
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) January 21, 2017
Saina enters the final. She wins her semi-final match against Yip Pui Yin 21-13, 21-10. It was a relatively easy outing for her in the end.
This is complete domination from @NSaina! Pui Yin Yip has no answer here! Leads 6-0. #MalaysiaGPG
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) January 21, 2017
Saina Nehwal had a disappointing outing in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and playing with an injured knee, she lost to the much-lower ranked Maria Ulitina. She appeared in the China Open thereafter, losing out in the first round itself to Porntip Buranaprasertsuk. She, however, did better in the Hong Kong and Macau Opens later in the year, reaching the quarter-finals in both tournaments. She lost to Cheung Ngan Yi in Hong Kong and to Zhang Yiman in Macau. She subsequently said that she was not 100 percent fit for the Hong Kong and Macau events, but wanted to test herself against the top players of the world.
She then appeared in the Premier Badminton League (PBL), turning out for the Awadhe Warriors. Saina’s semi-final clash against Rio silver medallist PV Sindhu was one of the matches of the tournament, and it went right down to the wire. Saina eventually lost, but not before enthralling the crowd. Saina beat World No 3 Ji Hyun Sung in the tournament, but was defeated by world and Olympic champion Carolina Marin.
WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night 2 results: Cody Rhodes beats John Cena in wild title match
Brock Lesnar's return headlines Night Two of WWE Summerslam Cody Rhodes defeats John Cena to become the Undisputed WWE Champion Becky Lynch defeats Lyra Valkyria to stay Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
More Impact Shorts "US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth")
 "US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'")
 "China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands")
 "Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit")
 "US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth")
 "US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'")
 "China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands")
 "Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit")
](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Saina-Nehwal-Malaysia-Masters-quarters-PTI-3801.jpg){kind=link}
Top Shows
