20th of October 2012
would have passed as just any other day for any Indian, but only this time the
whole badminton fraternity of the nation was celebrating something unique. The
last and the most prized princess of the Wang Dynasty was finally dethroned by
Saina Nehwal at the Denmark Super Series Premier. The two players had seen each
other six times previously with the Chinese outclassing Saina in all of them. Not
in the most convincing fashion though, but the Chinese would not have done
anything more to prevent her first defeat to the Indian ace when she was
already down by one set and was trailing by 7 points to 12 in the second. With
an injured right knee, Saina came into the tournament with not much of a hope
but as the tournament progressed it became quite evident that this 22 year old
girl was here with a purpose. She finally held the much coveted and awaited
trophy the next day, defeating Juliane Schenk of Germany in straight sets. It would
be worthwhile to mention that Juliane had defeated Li Xuerui and Yanjiao Jiang
of China
before bowing down to Saina for a podium finish. Saina now has six Super Series
Premier titles to her name with two of those coming this year.
This tournament unveiled quite a
few surprises. The Chinese could not feature in all the finals which was quite
uncharacteristic of them. They could manage to take the crown only in
two disciplines, thanks to Ma Jin and her superb display of combination and
drops at the net. She won the mixed doubles title teaming up with Xu Chen and
defeating the All England Champions, Tantowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir. Playing
with Tang Jinhua, she defeated Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahasi of Japan to take the
Ladies Doubles crown. Lee Chong Wei had to struggle to win against Du Pengyu in a
three setter while the Korean Men’s pair of Shin Baek Choel and Yoo Yeon Seong
prevented Koo Keat Kien and Tan Boon Heong to win the Denmark Super Series
Premier for the third time.
Saina was playing her first
tournament after a gap of two months and was nursing a knee injury. She started
her campaign beating South
Korea ’s Bae Yeon Ju in straight sets. It
would be interesting to note that Saina avenged her defeat to the Korean in
Indian Open played in April this year. In the 2nd round, she went
past Mitani Minatsu of Japan
in straight sets. Denmark ’s
only hope in ladies singles was destroyed when World No.6, Tine Baun lost to
Saina in straight sets 21-10, 21-11. Tine was probably playing her last Denmark
Open.
Are the DRAGONS finally getting
tamed?
:-Rakesh S Ranbir
