CWG 2018

Commonwealth Games 2018: It's Saina vs Sindhu in badminton final

Nation keenly awaits all-India women's badminton singles final

Sindhu Saina [File] P.V. Sindhu [left] and Saina Nehwal | AP

It is an all-India final in the women's badminton singles at the 21st Commonwealth Games. Shuttler P.V. Sindhu raced past defending champion Michelle Li of Canada to reach the women's singles final on Saturday. 

The women's singles final will be held on Sunday after the mixed doubles final. The mixed doubles final starts at 4:30 am IST. 

Earlier in the day, London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal had progressed to the finals of the women's singles event.

Saina, who had clinched the gold in 2010 Delhi Games but missed the 2014 Games due to injuries, staved off a challenge from Scotland's Kristy Gilmour, a silver at Glasgow four years ago, 21-14 18-21 21-17 in 68 minutes.

In men's singles, newly-crowned world No 1 Kidambi Srikanth saw off 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Rajiv Ouseph of England 21-10 21-17 in just over half an hour contest to reach the men's singles final. He will face Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei on Sunday.

Meanwhile, it's showering gold for India on the penultimate day of the 21st Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Gold Coast. Indian boxer Gaurav Solanki won gold in the 52-kg category, while shooter Sanjeev Rajput secured the first place in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event with a games record. 

In addition, India's Manish Kaushik claimed silver medal in the men's 60 kg boxing after losing to Australia's Harry Garside in the final bout. India's medal tally has risen to 47, with 20 gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze.

Earlier in the day, boxer Mary Kom won gold in women's boxing in the 45-48 kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2018.