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World Super Series: Saina, Jwala-Diju advance

December 03, 2009 19:26 IST

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal won her second match to keep her semi-final hopes alive while the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju also tasted victory to stay afloat in the World Super Series Masters Final in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Thursday.

World number eight Saina brushed aside Canadian Reid Charmaine 21-14, 21-9 in just over half and hour in a Group A match of the women's singles, while Jwala-Diju edged past Indonesian duo of Hendra Aprida Gunawan and Vita Marissa 21-18, 21-17 in a 27-minute Group B mixed doubles match.

Saina, who lost her first match on Wednesday, mixed brilliant net play with powerful smashes to pin her rival.

The 20-year-old Indian surged ahead to 8-7 and then broke loose, pocketing five points. Reid did try to make a comeback but Saina maintained the distance to seal the first game.

The second game saw the Indian in her attacking best as, from 7-7, Saina gathered six points and then five points on the trot to leave her opponent far behind.

Saina now will have to win her next match against Thai Porntip Burananaprasertsuk to make it to the semi-finals.

Jwala and Diju also shrugged off their last match disappointment and brought their campaign on track. They play Thai duo of Songphon Anugritayawon and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul in their next match on Friday.

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