Saina wins China Open, claims her third title this year

Olympic bronze-medallist Saina Nehwal clinched the $700,000 China Open Super Series Premier tournament after beating Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the summit clash, in Fuzhou, China, on Sunday.

The World No. 5 Indian prevailed over the 17-year-old Akane 21-12, 22-20 in the women's singles final, which lasted 42 minutes at the Haixia Olympic Sport Center.

This is Saina's third title of the year, after claiming the Australian Super Series in June and the Syed Modi International Grand Prix Gold early in the year.

In her sixth appearance at the China tournament, Saina had to draw from her reservoir of experience to stave off the challenge of the nimble Akane.

In the opening game, Saina led 3-1 and extended it to 8-4.

She lost few points due to miscued strokes but managed to go into the interval with a four-point lead with the help of an angled stroke and down the line smash.

Saina controlled the shuttle and pace of the game, forcing her young opponent to commit errors, and opened up a healthy 14-7 lead.

Akane showed sparks of brilliance but it was not enough to threaten Saina, who moved to game-point with a delicate net drop and then a disguised a return to earn bragging rights.

Akane produced a better performance in the second game.

The 17-year-old was quick on her feet and bothered Saina with her straight smashes to enter the break with a slender 11-9 lead.

The closing moments of the second game turned out to be nerve-wrecking as both shuttlers engaged in aggressive rallies before the experienced Indian clawed her way back at 14-14.

Saina mixed her strokes well to dominate the rallies but she still found it difficult to find a chink in the Japanese's armour, who returned everything that was directed at her.

At 18-18, Saina earned a point with a disguised net shot but the Indian hit one long and then missed another point to allow Akane to close in at 20-19.

However, a couple of long shots by the Japanese swung the match the other way and Saina sealed the title.