Saina outclassed by Tai Tzu Ying yet again, bows out of French Open

PARIS: Saina Nehwal yet again failed to subdue world No.1 Tai Tzu Ying as she went down 20-22, 11-21 in the quarter-finals of the French Open here on Friday.

This was the duo’s second meeting in less than a week after the Denmark Open final, where the world No. 9 Saina lost 13-21, 21-13, 6-21.

After Friday’s result, Saina has now lost to the Chinese Taipei player in 12 straight matches. Saina’s last victory against Tai Tzu Ying came in quarter-finals of the 2013 Swiss Open.

Despite what the scoreline suggests, it was Saina who dominated at the beginning. Tzu Ying found her agile retrieves and pinpoint smashes too hot to handle as Saina led 12-7 midway through the first game. The Indian increased the lead to 16-10 and it seemed like it could finally be Saina’s day. The belief turned stronger as Saina had four game points at 20-16.

But reigning Asian Games champion Tzu Ying stepped up a gear just as Saina closed in on the opening game. She saved four game points, forcing a couple of unforced errors as Saina’s returns suddenly went awry. The shuttler from Chinese Taipei took the game 22-20 after winning six straight points.

She continued in the same vein in the second game and raced to a 14-7 lead. Tzu Ying dictated the movements thereon.

It was a point of no return for Saina as Tai Tzu took the game 21-11 and the match ended in just 36 minutes.

Meanwhile, in an all-Indian men’s doubles quarter-final, the pair of Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy defeated Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 21-17, 21-11.

Earlier, third seed PV Sindhu dished out a controlled display to outwit Sayaka Sato 21-17, 21-16 in a second round match on Thursday and set up a clash with seventh seeded Chinese He Bingjiao.

In men’s singles, B. Praneeth was no match for Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, going down 16-21, 14-21.