Li ousts Nehwal, on track for first world title
Print Edition
CHINESE world No. 1 Li Xuerui remained on course for a first world championship title after beating India’s Saina Nehwal yesterday to reach the semifinals of the women’s singles in Copenhagen.
Top-ranked Li, runner-up at the world championship a year ago, established control early on against seventh seeded Nehwal and came through 21-15, 21-15 to move a step closer to adding to the Olympic crown she won at London 2012.
“The first set was pretty comfortable. In the second set some of my tactics weren’t well executed and that allowed Saina to get close, but I eventually adjusted and pulled (the victory) off,” said the 23-year-old, who will face Japan’s Minatsu Mitani for a shot at the title.
On Wednesday, Nehwal had sparked a war of words by calling for the sport’s governing body, the Badminton World Federation, to reduce the number of entrants per country at tournaments to curb China’s dominance.
Li, one of two remaining Chinese representatives in the women’s draw from an initial four, let her performance do the talking for the most part yesterday before the topic again resurfaced in Denmark.
“There are good players from many countries. Too many restrictions is not good for the sport. It would not be fair for the Chinese players who put in all the effort and training,” said Li.
Mitani, the 16th seed, caused another upset as she rallied once more to edge South Korean fifth seed Sung Ji-hyun 9-21, 21-18, 22-20. On Thursday, Mitani claimed the scalp of Thailand’s defending champion Ratchanok Intanon.
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