Saina Nehwal not a `special` player that I have to win against every time: PV Sindhu

New Delhi: Top ranked Indian shuttler, PV Sindhu won a much-anticipated clash against fellow compatriot Saina Nehwal in straight games to book a place in the semi-final of the India Open Super Series badminton tournament in New Delhi on Friday.

Reflecting on her victory, Sindhu, however, said that the blockbuster India Open superseries contest against Saina Nehwal was “just another match” for her. ( India Open QF - As it happened | Report)

“She (Saina) is not special that I have to win against her. She is like another player whom I have to play.It’s not that I have to win against her whenever I play. But I try to give my best against each player and gave my best against her too,” Sindhu was quoted saying by Hindustan Times.

"Everyone has been speaking about it for a very long time," the 21-year-old answered when asked about her rivalry with Saina. "Yeah, it's been a long time since we played and then we played at PBL (Premier Badminton League). Now, after a long time, we have played in Super Series. There is a rivalry on court but off it we are normal friends."

Sindhu reflected on the match saying, "Overall, it was a good match. She was leading from the start but I believed I can comeback. I didn't leave any shuttle as each point was very important. At 20-all it was anybody's game, I think dribble game worked a lot. But didn't know she will serve into the net. I always knew it's not going to be easy."

Rio Olympics silver medallist Sindhu served past former champion Saina 21-16, 22-20 in an intense 47-minute quarter-final battle at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

Sindhu, 21, had to dig deep into her reservoir of talent against the former world number one Saina as a raucous home crowd found it hard to take sides.

Sindhu, who lost to Saina, 27, in their only international meeting in 2014, won the first game in 19 minutes but had to fight hard to recover a 16-19 trail in the second game.

Sindhu will now meet second-seeded South Korean player Sung Ji Hyun, who earlier edged out defending champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-16, 22-20, in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Top-seeded Spanish star Carolina Marin also booked her last-four spot after battling past Minatsu Mitani of Japan 21-10, 20-22, 21-14.

Marin will clash with fourth-seeded Akane Yamaguchi, who staved off a challenge from fellow Japanese Nozomi Okuhara 21-13, 11-21, 21-18.

In the men`s singles quarter-finals, Denmark`s Viktor Axelsen survived a tough challenge from Wang Tzu Wei of Taiwan to prevail 19-21, 21-14, 21-16 in 65 minutes.

(With AFP inputs)