World No.7 Saina Nehwal was stunned by a little-known local qualifier in the second round of the China Open Super Series in Shanghai on Thursday.
Xia Jingyun beat Saina 17-21 21-8 21-13 in 52 minutes. The women’s singles, in fact, underlined why the Chinese are such a formidable power — seven of the eight quarterfinalists are from the home country, with Malaysian Wong Mew Choo the lone exception. More importantly, apart from world champion Lu Lan, the other Chinese quarterfinalists are young and inexperienced — illustrating the kind of depth the country has even among its reserves.
The other Indians in Round Two did not have a happy day. Chetan Anand ran into world No.30 Du Pengyu of China losing 21-19 21-9 while Arvind Bhat was beaten by world No.9 Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 21-15 21-16.
The men’s singles had three Chinese in the quarterfinals, including Lin Dan, Du Pengyu
and Chen Jin. Favourite Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia was dumped in the first round by fast-improving Dane Jan O Jorgensen, who also progressed into the quarters.
Saina’s match against Xia was closely contested to begin with. Points were level until 15 and then the Indian surged ahead to take the game 21-17. However, in the second, the momentum drastically shifted the other way as the Chinese qualifier shot off to an early lead and allowed the Indian just eight points. In the third game too Xia kept up the pace never allowed Saina to come even within striking distance.
The doubles teams of Rupesh Kumar/Sanave Thomas, Jwala Gutta/ Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta/V Diju had failed to progress past the first round.
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