India’s World No4 Saina Nehwal cruised past her Chinese World No2 opponent Wang Shixian in straight sets on the first day of the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals at Hamdan Sports Complex on Wednesday.
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The Indian, receiving vociferous support from the large expatriate crowd, was in control for most of the 58-minute match, which she comfortably won 21-17, 21-18.
Meanwhile, an unlikely result featured in the opening session of the Superseries Finals in the morning.
Denmark’s Hans-Kristian Vittinghus was seen as the underdog in Men’s Singles Group A, and with a 0-4 record against the in-form Son Wan Ho of Korea, the Dane admitted he wasn’t the favourite.
However, he produced a steady game against Son and closed out the match 21-13, 21-16 in just 42 minutes.
Jan O Jorgensen too enjoyed a good start, beating Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia 21-15, 21-19.
Indonesia also suffered two bitter blows after Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan exited the Finals.
After Maheswari suffered a cramp in the Women’s Doubles Group B match, Ahsan had a recurrence of a back injury which forced the defending Men’s Doubles champions to retire.