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Saina enters Indonesia Open semis

June 24, 2011 19:29 IST

Saina Nehwal moved a step closer to defending her Indonesian Open Super Series title, reaching the semi-finals with a straight games' victory over Denmark's eighth seed Tine Baun, in Jakarta, on Friday.

The fourth seed won 21-19, 21-19, in 37 minutes.

The 21-year-old Indian will take on Chinese Taipei's Shao Chieh Cheng in Saturday's semi-finals.

Unseeded Shao beat seventh seed Xin Liu 21-17, 21-15 in another quarter-final.

Saina had lost two close matches to the Dane previously, but on Friday the world No 4 raised her game at crucial moments to wrest the initiative.

Saina opened a three-point lead initially but Tine reeled off seven straight points to zoom to 10-6.

The India ace caught up with the Dane at 12-all and after a neck-and-neck battle pocked the first game.

The second game was also a rollercoaster ride for Saina as the lead exchanged hands frequently, though the Indian led 4-1 initially.

The Hyderabad girl broke away at 17-all.

At 20-18, the warring Dane saved a match-point, but Saina kept her cool to make it to the next round.

Tine, the 2008 and 2010 All-England champion, had beaten Saina at the All England Super Series in 2010 and Hong Kong Super Series in 2007.

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