On Day 3 of the DANISA Denmark Open, Saina Nehwahl knocked out Akane Yamaguchi, who is currently world-ranked number two in Women’s Singles.

Saina Nehwal from India and Akane Yamaguchi from Japan played against each other for the eighth time in history, in Odense on Thursday. 

A historical victory

Yamaguchi won the last six matches in a row. In the round of 16 of the DANISA Denmark Open 2018, Nehwal was able to change that: She won against the Japanese favourite after two games, with 21-15 and 21-17. 

The last and only time that Nehwal was able to win against the current number two in the world before, has been in 2014 at the Thaihot China Open. 

- I am very happy to win today and to reach the quarterfinals. I moved better and played smart. But it was tough to play against Akane, as she is able to implement tricky attacks. 

The knockout of the top-seeded 

With Carolina Marin and Akane Yamaguchi being knocked out before the finals, the top-seeded were not able to win the DANISA Denmark Open. Therefore, everything is possible in Women’s Singles.

- I think every opponent here is not easy to play against. So, I expect a tough match tomorrow, Nehwal said.