IBL: Can Super Saina continue her winning streak against Pune Pistons?

Zee Media Bureau/Suyash Srivastava

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Hotshots’ ace Indian shuttler, Saina Nehwal, is yet to be beaten in Indian Badminton League as she takes on Julian Schenk of Pune Pistons in the first semi-final on her home ground at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Wednesday. Saina will have an upper hand against Schenk whom she had earlier defeated in the tournament. After losing the first game against the German, Saina had bounced back to win that match 17-21 21-19 11-6. On Day 12, even though Hyderabad Hotshots lost their tie 2-3 to Banga Beats, Saina maintained her unbeaten record intact as she edged past Tai Tzu Ying in an intense match which she won 21-17, 14-21, 11-8. Saina has been on top of her form ever since the tournament kicked off. When PV Sindhu won a bronze medal at the recently concluded Badminton World Championship, a lot was said about her clash with Saina in the initial phases of the tournament. But Saina proved her class when the two of them locked horns. Sindhu, icon player of Awadhe Warriors, proved to be a no show against Saina, where she was defeated 21-19, 21-8. Saina, the icon player for Hyderabad Hotshots also won her matches against P C Thulasi (21-7, 21-10), Julian Schenk (17-21, 21-19, 11-6) and Arundhati Panthawane (21-6, 21-18). Saina has been the driving force behind her franchise Hyderabad Hotshots and the team management would want their senior player to lift the trophy.