Saina Nehwal's dismal run against nemesis Tai Tzu-Ying continued as she suffered yet another defeat against the Taiwanese to crash out of the USD 1 million All England Championship, here on Friday.
A former finalist, Saina couldn't find answers to the deceptive strokeplay of the World No. 1 Taiwanese, going down 15-21 19-21 in the 37-minute quarterfinal clash.
"I had my chances but I got tied up in the last two points," said the 28-year-old from Hyderabad.
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"My coach was saying 'make it slower', but when you are on the edge of winning a game you tend to get a little more hurried up and I made that mistake again, it cost me the second set.
"I am happy that I am getting closer to the top players. I have not been sleeping because of the pain I have been having in my stomach (due to diarrohea), but I am really happy that I could play two matches here."
Saina is now 5-15 in head-to-head career record with Tzu-Ying and it was her 13th straight defeat against the Taiwanese, who has not lost to the Indian since 2015.
"It's good that I am playing her again and again. I have to learn how to beat her," she said.
Tzu-Ying, who had retired at the Hong Kong Open last year due to a waist injury, seemed to have recovered well as she went about her job with consummate ease at the Arena Birmingham.
Tzu-Ying's arsenal of strokes was in full display as she rushed to a 11-3 lead. Saina produced two superb drops and won nine of the next 12 points to narrow the equation to 12-14.
Tzu-Ying then came out with a flurry of her magical strokes to move to 20-13 and sealed it comfortably.
In the second game, Saina enjoyed a five-point cushion at 8-3 in the second game after husband Parupalli Kashyap pleaded her to play disciplined badminton.
Some exceptional strokes helped the Taiwanese to gather a few points but Saina ensured a 11-8 advantage at the interval.
The Indian tried to keep Tzu-Ying at the backline with her deep tosses but fatigue, perhaps due to the bout of diarrohea ahead of the event, affected her.
Tzu-Ying's deceptive strokes often left Saina wrong-footed as she moved ahead of the Indian to 17-15.
Saina made it 19-19 with a successful line call. But two precise returns on the Indian's backhand ended the match in the Taiwanese favour.