Photographs: Saurabh Das/AP Photo
One of the biggest drawbacks of Saina Nehwal's career is her failure to break the Chinese stranglehold. It was the same old story again on Friday, as she went down to China's world No 1 Yihan Wang 21-13, 21-13 in the semi-finals of the women's singles badminton at the London Olympics.
-London Olympics 2012 - Complete coverage
It was Saina's sixth straight defeat against Wang, whom she is yet to beat.
I think she was very well-prepared for this match: Saina
Photographs: Saurabh Das/AP Photo
Saina was clueless against Wang at the Wembley arena and quick to admit after the match that her Chinese opponent was way better than her.
"I think she was very well-prepared for this match and I was not moving so well. My movements were not comfortable. Most of her smashes fell on the line, down the line smashes which I think was crucial," Saina said after the defeat.
'The problem was that I was not moving so well today'
Photographs: Saurabh Das/AP Photo
The huge pressure of expectations also seemed to have weighed on Saina in this crucial match.
"The problem was that I was not moving so well today. I think maybe because of the tension you don't really have free movement otherwise I tried in some areas, like I was 11-10 up [in the second game]. I also misjudged a few times which cost me a few points," she added.
Saina tried everything in her armoury but Wang was equal to the task and dominated the encounter with some well-placed smashes and clever drop shots.
'She was too fast'
Photographs: Saurabh Das/AP Photo
Saina was honest to admit that Wang's fast-paced game was too much for her.
Asked what she learnt from the defeat, the Indian ace replied: "The match was not that long enough to learn something from it. She was too fast, actually. I made a few errors and there were not enough rallies to know where I made mistakes. I think she was too fast and everything happened so quickly."
'I hope to have a good match tomorrow'
Photographs: Saurabh Das/AP Photo
But Saina still has a chance to make up for the loss and win an Olympic medal when she takes on another Chinese Wing Xin, in the bronze medal play-off, on Saturday, at 1330 local time (1800 IST).
The youngster is confident of an improved showing in the match.
"I have played her and my record is also good against her so hope to have a good match tomorrow."
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