SAINA ADVANCES TO SYED MODI FINAL

Lucknow, Jan. 24: Defending champion Saina Nehwal is just one step away from retaining her women’s singles title while Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap set up a title clash with World No.5 Kidambi Srikanth at the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships here on Saturday.

Olympic bronze medallist Saina didn’t have to work hard as she disposed off fourth seed Nichaon Jindapon of Thailand 2110, 21-16 at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium.

The 24-year-old will take on reigning World Champion Carolina Marin of Spain, who beat P.V. Sindhu 21-13, 21-13.

Srikanth registered a hard-fought 12-21, 21-12, 21-14 victory over compatriot H.S. Prannoy, while third seed Kashyap defeated Switzerland’s secondseeded Victor Axelsen 1821, 22-20, 21-7.

— PTI