Speed Post News Network
Patna : World No 9 in Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings Saina Nehwal, 28, India, raced to the semi-finals of Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2019 beating World No 22 Pormpawee Chochuwong, Thailand, in the quarter-finals at Istoea Senayan, Jakarta, 21, Indonesia, on January 25, 2019. But, in the men’s section World No 8 Kidambi Srikanth, 25, India, lost in the quarter-finals to World No 12 and Asian Games 2018 Gold Medallist Jonatan Christie also known as ‘Jojo’ , 21, Indonesia.
Saina beat Chochuwong in straight games 21-7, 21-18 in 33 minutes to sail into the semi-finals of the tournament. Saina won the first game in only 11 minutes and second in 22 minutes. Saina won 42 rallies in the match to 25 by Chochuwong. She won 5 consecutive points in the match to 4 by her rival. Saina now leads Chochuwong 4-0 head to head. Saina had also reached the semi-finals of Malaysia Masters where she had lost to reigning Olympic and World Champion Carolina Marin on January 19, 2019.
In the men’s section, World No 12 Jonatan Christie, India, upset Srikanth in straight games 21-18, 21-19 in the quarter-finals in 48 minutes. Srikanth put up a strong fight in both the games though. Jonatan won 42 rallies in the match to 37 by Srikanth. He won 6 consecutive points in the match to 4 by Srikanth. Jonatan now leads Srikanth 3-2 head to head.