New Delhi: Ace Indian woman shuttler Saina Nehwal Friday struggled her way into the semi-finals of the Yonex Chinese Taipei Open defeating Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand.

The second-seeded Indian beat less-fancied Buranaprasertsuk, ranked 42nd in the world, 21-19 18-21 21-16 to set up a last four clash against Indonesia’s Pia Zebadiah Bernadet.

Unseeded Bernadet stunned Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia, seeded third in the event 21-18 22-20 in another quarter final match.

Nehwal had earlier beaten Hong Kong’s Kwan Yi Mong 21-8 21-12 to move into the last eight stage. (PTI)