Defending champion Saina Nehwal inched closer to a third successive Indonesian Open Super Series badminton title after advancing to the final with a three-game triumph over Chinese Taipei's Shao Chieh Cheng in Jakarta on Saturday.

The fourth-seeded Indian won 21-14, 14-21, 21-17 in a 45-minute battle against giant-killer Cheng, who had created quite a flutter by upstaging top seed Shixian Wang and seventh seed Xin Liu earlier in the tournament.

The opening game was fought on even keel before Saina reeled off seven successive points to nose ahead.

The 21-year-old Indian lost the momentum in the second game as Cheng drew level with more net winners than Saina's.

The third game was a closer affair but Cheng didn't have a reply to Saina's 11 smash winners, which sealed the game and the match for her.