Singapore: World No. 2 Saina Nehwal got the better of Eriko Hirose 16-21 21-16 21-9 to enter the quarterfinals of women's singles event at the Singapore Super Series here on Thursday. Saina will now play Lindaweni Fanetri of Indonesia in the last-eight stage.
The Hyderabadi shuttler took 61 minutes to pack off the Japanese at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Both the shuttlers started on equal note and were neck-and-neck till 14-14 before Hirose took a slender two-point lead and soon wrapped up the game in her favour.
However, Saina came back strong in the second match and took a healthy 4-1 lead. but Hirose was in mood to let it go so easily and won the next four points for 6-4 lead. Thereafter, the game was seen tilting from one end to another and the two were tied at 12-12 at one point. Saina then pulled up her socks and went ahead to 20-16 before winning the match to make it 1-1.
The third game was proved to be an easy one for the Indian as she won it 21-9.
Meanwhile, Sai Praneeth B went down fighting 11-21 21-17 16-21 to Wei Feng Chong of Malaysia in a second round match.