By IANS,
New Delhi : Saina Nehwal went down 17-21, 10-21 to China’s Jiang Yanjiao in the women’s singles quarterfinals of the Korea Open Superseries badminton event in Seoul Friday, ending India’s challenge in the competition.
Saina’s loss was her fourth consecutive one against the sixth-ranked Chinese. The World No.4 had her moments in the first game where she led 8-6 but Jiang stepped her play from there on and went on take the lead which she maintained through the game.
Saina started well in the second as well only to conceded advantage for the remainder of the match. From 4-4, Jiang raced to a 15-7 lead, ending any hopes of Saina’s comeback. Jiang will play compatriot and World No.1 Wang Yihan in the semi-finals Saturday. The tournament was Saina’s first in the Olympic year of 2012.
Earlier in the day, the Indian mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V.Diju lost 19-21, 12-21 to the fancied Danish duo of Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pederesn in another last eight match.