Jakarta: Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal settled for a bronze medal after losing 17-21, 14-21 against Tai Tzu Ying in the semi-finals in the 18th Asian games held here on Monday.
Tai Tzu kept targeting Saina and took a lead 18-14 with four quick points. The Indian was finding it hard to react quickly.
Tzu won the first set 21-17. While Saina tried hard to keep three point leads that she took on three separate occasions.
After being caught with wrong footwork a couple of times, but she had compensated well with her hands and took a lead 13-12.
Saina went into the second mid-game break 11-10 down. Though, Saina fought hard for her points by forcing longer rallies, Tzu-ying smashed to win her points in quick time.
Saina had to take one point at a time to stay in this match. She managed to level things a couple of times in the second game and that kept her going. But the errors piled up.
The Chinese Taipei shuttler will face the winner of the second semi-final between PV Sindhu and Akane Yamaguchi.
This is Saina Nehwal first-ever Asian Games medal.
Now, all the eyes will be on PV Sindhu, who must be aiming for final berth in Women’s Singles. (UNI)