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Saina Nehwal awarded Rs 10 lakh by BAI for Australian Open triumph

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 11 February 2017, 6:43 IST

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for Saina Nehwal for winning the Australian Open Super Series badminton tournament in Sydney.

The World No. 8 came from behind to beat China's Sun Yu 11-21 21-14 21-19 in the thrilling final match on 12 June to lift the trophy. It was Saina's first title of the season.

Also read: Saina Nehwal pips Sun Yu to win Australian Open

"I congratulate her for this marvellous victory. This is another milestone in her career. This win will sure motivate her for the most important Rio 2016 Olympics where she is leading the Indian Badminton contingent. I also congratulate her Coach Vimal Kumar and Support Staff, who have been on their toes to bring out the best of Saina," BAI President Akhilesh Das Gupta said.

With her second Australian Open title, Saina has also improved her head-to-head record with Sun Yu to 6-1.

The 26-year-old had earlier snapped her semi-final jinx after claiming a straight-game victory over second-seed Wang Yihan of China in the $750,000 tournament.

Earlier, Saina had struggled to breach the last-four stage in the major tournaments as she made a slew of semifinal finishes at the Swiss Grand Prix Gold, India Super Series, Malaysia Super Series Premier Open and Asia Badminton Championships.

Her last major title win came in 2015 when she won the Indian Open Super Series. The London Olympics bronze medallist failed to defend her title at home earlier this year, apart from her quarterfinal exits at All England and Indonesian Open this year.

First published: 13 June 2016, 1:26 IST