SHENZHEN (CHINA), Dec 13 (PTI): Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal is virtually out of the semi-final race of the BWF World Super Series Finals after losing her second consecutive women�s singles Group B match in the USD 500,000 event here today.
The world number 3 Indian 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, a bronze medallist in the London Olympics, failed to put up a fight against world number 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 of the opening game 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.
Incidentally, this was Saina�s first loss to the unseeded Thai player since November 2011. By virtue of today�s win, Ratchanok has improved her head-to-head record against the Indian to 2-4. Saina will next play world number 4 Juliane Schenk of Germany against whom the Indian has won seven of their 10 encounters.
