Saina, Sindhu survive scares to enter World Championship quarters

Copenhagen Indias top shuttlers Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu both survived scares but eventually made their way into the womens singles quarterfinals of the World Championships at the Ballerup Super Arena here ThursdaySaina Nehwal and PV SindhuHowever it was the end of the road for Kidambi Srikanth in mens singles and Manu Attri and B Sumeet Reddy in mens doubles who lost their third round matches at the 9200seater stadiumJapanese 13th seed Sayaka Takahashi gave a tough fight to seventhseeded Saina and was almost on her way to the last eight before Saina found her legs just in time to recover from a game down and win the threegame one hour and five minute marathon third round match 1421 2118 2112It was an even more close and tougher affair for 11th seed Sindhu who had to play out of her skin to beat South Korean sixth seed Yeon Ju Bae 1921 2220 2523 in one of her longest matches in recent times lasting an hour and 16 minutesThe 19yearold Indian had to save three matchpoints and waste five before she could finally seal the tie in her favour to notch up her first win against Yeon in three meetingsEarlier Sayaka looked in sublime touch as she easily clinched the first game World No7 Saina looked down and out trailing 813 in the second but slowly started getting back into rhythm when the reality of being ousted from the tournament hit herThe 24yearold finally levelled the game at 18all and held on to the next three points to push the match into the deciderIt was equal till 7all in the third game but after that the Olympic bronze medallist found the right footing and form to crush her opponent in a matter of minutes and take a 20 lead in career meetings over the JapaneseSaina will be up against World No1 and top seed Li Xuerui of China next and the reigning Olympic champion has a 72 career advantage over the HyderabadiLater Sindhu played a tight first game but her World No5 opponent managed to take away the game from 18all It was again extremely close in the second game but Yeons deceptive shots made sure she had two matchpoints before Sindhu could realise itHowever the World No12 Indian put her height to optimum use to eke out the next four points and take the game and push the match into the deciderThe decider also turned into another unbelievably close contest But some excellent smashing and net play by the 19yearold Indian saw her reach matchpoint at 2017Some brilliant crosscourt sliced smashes by the South Korean saw her level the encounter at 20all Yeon saved two more matchpoints and surprised Sindhu to go ahead to matchpoint But Sindhu had nerves of steel to save that one last matchpoint and take the marathon encounter by winning the next three pointsSindhu has an even tougher challenge lying ahead when she faces old foe and second seed Shixian Wang of China Though the Indian has a 32 advantage Shixian has won their previous two encountersMeanwhile Attri and Reddys journey came to an end when they lost to South Korean second seeds Yong Dae Lee and Yeon Seong Yoo The World No1 pair needed only 37 minutes to move past the Indian combine 2112 2117Srikanth played well but was up against Chinese second seed Chen Long in their first ever match The World No2 needed only 36 minutes to beat the rising Indian player 2112 2110