India's Nehwal repays faith by reaching Denmark final

ODENSE, Denmark (REUTERS) - India's Saina Nehwal is showing signs of fulfilling the potential that earned her a recent US$7.4 million (S$9 million) deal by reaching the Denmark Open badminton final after her world No. 1 Wang Yihan retired with a knee injury.

The 22-year-old world No. 4 was leading 21-12, 12-7 on Saturday when her Chinese opponent limped off the court at Odense.

Pitted against the woman who had thrashed her 21-13, 21-13 in the Olympic semi-finals in London, Nehwal proved too strong for Wang, who was clearly hampered by the damaged knee.

"It was an exciting victory. I played at full strength today and got the result," Nehwal told the Times of India newspaper.