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Shenzhen: Saina Nehwal is virtually out of the semi-final race of the BWF World Super Series Finals after losing her second consecutive Group B match in the $500,000 event here on Thursday.
The world No. 3 surrendered 13-21, 16-21 to Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand a day after Denmark’s Tine Baun stunned Saina 14-21, 21-11, 19-21 in her tournament opener.
Saina failed to put up a fight against world No. 9 Ratchanok, who hardly broke a sweat to pocket the match in just 34 minutes at the China Resources Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre.
Seeded fourth, Saina looked a pale shadow of herself right from the start as her Thai opponent took a 14-5 lead.
The 22-year-old Hyderabadi, however, made a spirited comeback by winning seven consecutive points to reduce the lead to 14-12.
Leading 15-13, Ratchanok had the last laugh and riding on her fierce smashes, the Thai girl won six straight points to pocket the first game.
Trailing by a game, Saina fought back in the second game. It was neck-and-neck between the two till 16 points when Ratchanok again took off and bagged the next five points on the trot to clinch the match.
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