Saina breaches Chinese citadel into title win, enters big league

Just before leaving home for a series of tournaments, Saina Nehwal, who had been following the French Open keenly, be repeatedly told by her mother Usha that if unknown Swedish player Robin Soderling could upset champion Rafael Nadal, beating a Chinese opponent on the badminton court would not be impossible either.

On Sunday into the Indonesia Open final, Saina trumped China�s brightest new star, World No. 3 Lin Wang, 12-21 21-18 21-9 to complete a historic first for an Indian woman in the badminton Super Series. In her first Super Series final, it is a remarkable fight back by Nehwal, after wading through a draw boasting the world�s best.

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In fact, the 19-year-old and World No. 8 had raided the Chinese citadel twice within 24 hours, having beaten Lu Lan during the semi-finals on Saturday. But what really stood out was how Saina composed her win, playing truly Indian-style badminton and dominating with quick dribbles at the net, to carry forward the legacy of Prakash Padukone with P Gopichand. From a city that has produced elegant cricketers such as Mohammad Azharuddin and V V S Laxman, Saina�s wrist work would have made a few Hyderabadi proud.