Saina Nehwal defeats China’s Sun Yu to clinch her second Australian Open title

Sydney: India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal today won her second Australian Open Superseries title after defeating World No. 12 China’s Sun Yu 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 in the Australian Open finals in Sydney.

London Olympics bronze medallist, Saina, who had beaten two world champions -- Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon (2013) and China's Yihan Wang (2011) in the quarterfinals and semifinals, thus clinched her maiden title of the season and pocketed a cheque of USD 56,250.

Saina lost the first game 11-21 to Sun Yu, who was looking in an excellent form. 

Saina had defeated Sun five times in the last five outings but she faced a tough challenge against the 22-year-old Chinese, who took just 18 minutes to wrap up the opening game at the Sydney Olympic Park. 

However, in the second round, Saina came up with a remarkable fightback and clinched it 21-14. 

The third round started with both the players struggling to take the early lead. 

Different from the first two games, the third and decisive round witnessed both Saina and Sun involved in a cut-throat contest till the match point was sealed. 

At the end, a difference of two points helped Saina clinch her second BWF Superseries title. She had won her first Australian Open Superseries title in 2014. 

The title comes as a big boost to India’s hopes for a medal in the upcoming Rio Olympics. Saina has been facing a bit of title drought since she won the Indian Open Superseries title in 2015.