New Delhi:
Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal annexed the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold title as she put up a dominating performances in the summit clash by edging past her Thai opponent Pornpawee Chochuwong 22-20, 22-20 in straight games.
The London Olympics bronze medallist, Saina, who had her sights set on the Malaysia Master title to boost her confidence after recovering from a knee surgery, which derailed her Rio Olympics campaign last year, made a brilliant start to the year 2017 with a title triumph.
Saina had earlier beaten Hong Kong's Yip Pui Yin in the semifinals to seal her place in the finals.
Saina had thrashed fifth seed Yin 21-13, 21-10 in a lop-sided semifinal.
Saina’s opponent in the final, the unheralded World No 67 Thai shuttler had stunned World No 19 Cheung Ngan Yi, seeded second, 21-19, 20-22, 21-18 in another semi-final match that lasted an hour and 16 minutes.
