Denmark Open: Shixian stops Saina Nehwal

HYDERABAD: A fighting Saina Nehwal failed to stop Shixian Wang in the quarterfinals of the Denmark Open Super Series Premier in Odense on Friday. The Indian, who won the title here in 2012, did all that she could but the Chinese grew stronger towards the end to notch up a 22-20, 21-15 victory.

Trailing 17-20 in the first game, Saina saved three game points before Shixian managed to squeeze past with two winners.

Bolstered by her late flourish in the first game, Saina, who has a 5-3 career record against Shixian, got off to a great start in the second. She opened with a 5-0 margin and looked all set to dominate the game. But Shixian made amends and caught up with the Indian at 6-6. Saina still tried to move ahead and was leading at 11-9 at the mandatory break.

Shixian returned to the court in a punishing mood.

She soon wiped out the margin and raced ahead to 13-11 with a four-point burst. A little later she secured five consecutive points to zoom to 17-12.