Saina to face Schenk in Japan Open semis

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal entered the semi-finals of the Japan Open Super Series badminton tournament in Tokyo after dispatching Singapore's Juan Gu in straight games in just half an hour, on Friday.

The fourth-seeded Indian defeated Juan 21-17, 21-13 to make the last-four stage, where she will take on Germany's Juliane Schenk.

Saina was facing Juan after almost three years and the Indian dominated her rival just the way she did in 2008.

Saina opened a massive 18-9 lead and it all seemed like a stroll in the park until Juan fought back to reduce the gap to 19-17.

The Indian was unruffled by the fightback and clinched the opening game by notching up three successive points after that.

Saina's domination only increased in the second game and she relied on her trademark smashes to clinch the issue with ease.

The 21-year-old Hyderabadi has a good chance of reaching the finals as well, as she has a good one-on-one record against Schenk.

The two have faced each other seven times so far with Saina emerging winner on five occasions. They last played against each other in the 2010 Hong Kong Open with Saina emerging the winner.