Saina Nehwal Enters French Open Semifinal

 

Indian Badminton icon Saina Nehwal defeated Thailand's Ratchanok Inthanon to move to the semifinal round of the French Open Super Series badminton championship here on Friday. The world number three Indian won 22-20 22-20 in a 42 minute clash during which she was given some anxious moments by the 17 year old Thai, who is ranked 10th in the international list and seeded seventh in the event. Saina, fresh from her Denmark Open triumph last week, will now be up against fourth seeded German Juliane Schenk, who powered past upcoming Chinese player Chen Xiao Jia 21-10 21-14. It will be a replay of the Denmark Open final in which London Olympics bronze medallist Saina had emerged triumphant to clinch her second Super series Premier title.