Badminton: Kanako too strong for Saina

Guwahati, Dec 5: Japanese girl Kanako Yonekera proved too strong for India's No 1 Saina Nehwal as the former comfortably lifted the women's single title of the India International challenge badminton, played here today.

Kanako made it in straight set 21-13 and 21-18 in just 45 minutes.

It was a disappointing finale for the Indian as the lanky Japanese girl with tremendous cross court coverage and nimble foot movement, never allowed Saina, despite some late rallies in the second game, and took the match and the championship well under 45 minutes.

Saina did produce occasional brilliance but that was never enough for Kanako. She took the first game much easily 21-13 as she took control of the game by the half way and never allowed Saina to stage any come back.

In the second game, Saina opened a five point gap in the beginning but Kanako, using her long experience soon caught up and by tenth point she started opening a small gape which she successfully held on till the final point to win the match 21-18.

Saina could take the runner up trophy as valuable match experience as she was never in the contention of the match was quite evident that her international exposure was very much lacking.

UNI