Saina gets past Sindhu, defends title
Nehwal had beaten Olympic silver medallist last year as well; Verma completes hat-trick
GUWAHATI: Saina Nehwal beat PV Sindhu in straight games in the marquee clash of the tournament to retain her women’s singles crown at the 83rd Senior Nationals Badminton Championships here on Saturday.
The former world No 1 Saina used her powerful smashes to telling effect, registering a 21-18, 21-15 win in the summit clash against Sindhu, who herself is a two-time winner.
Earlier, Sourabh Verma completed a hat-trick of titles, claiming the men’s singles crown by defeating young Lakshya Sen in straight games.
Saina and Sourabh went home richer by ~3.25 lakh while Sindhu and Sen received a cheque of ~1.7 lakh each.
“It was a good match and both of us played really well and it is a great feeling to win the nationals in such an atmosphere,” Saina, who has lost to Sindhu only once in international events at India Open 2017, said.
“Sindhu is playing at the highest level for quite some time. We both are playing well and she is a very tough opponent. It was not a simple match, there were tough rallies and simple errors from her helped me to win,” added Saina, who
won her fourth national title.
In a repeat of last edition’s final in Nagpur, 2012 Olympics bronze medallist Saina once again had the upper hand over Sindhu during the exciting clash which was witnessed by a capacity crowed at the TRP Indoor Stadium.
Saina had also defeated 2016 Rio Games silver medallist Sindhuin thesummitclash at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Sourabh, 26, from MP’S Dhar, showed composure and used his experience to outdo 17-year-old Lakshya for the second time at the senior national finals. He had beaten Lakshya, then 15, in February 2017.
“Winning the nationals for the first time (in 2011) is always special but this time also it was a great feeling. Lakshya is improving regularly and every time you have to be alert against him. It was my fourth final (lost in Patna nationals) and third win,” Sourabh said.
“At 6-6 in first game, I had done unforced errors so I thought if I reduce my mistakes I can make a comeback.”
‘INELIGIBLE PLAYERS’
Railways, who finished runner-up in inter-zonals, want champions Airport Authority of India (AAI) to be disqualified, alleging that they fielded “ineligible” players.
Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) has sent a letter to Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary Ajay Singhania, saying that the governing body had informed some teams ahead of the junior nationals in Dec 2018 that they cannot field players on scholarship and on contract in the team championship.
AAI employs players only on contract and RSPB said this makes the players ineligible and hence should be disqualified.