Match: Saina Nehwal v Yip Pui Yin, Women's singles semi-final
Date: 21 January, Saturday
Time: 6:30pm SGT/4pm IST/10:30am GMT
Competition: Malaysia Masters 2017
Venue: Sibu Indoor Stadium, Sarawak
TV Channel: There is no live TV coverage in Singapore.
Live Streaming: BWF official Youtube channel, Hotstar
Live Updates will be available on tournament's official website.
Overview
Saina Nehwal made light work of Indonesian teenager Fitriani Fitriani in straight games in her quarter-final clash on Friday, that lasted only for 40 minutes.
The world number 10 is getting back to her best with every passing day since her return from an knee injury, she suffered during her Rio Olympic campaign last year. Saina did not break a sweat in the quarter-final and dominated her opponent right from the word go.
Also read: Ng Ka Long v Anthony Ginting, Men's singles semi-final: Live streaming information
After not being able to make a mark during the latter stages of the 2016 season, the Indian shuttler is looking focussed and the recently-concluded Premier Badminton League provided her the much-required match practise. Saina has not dropped a game yet in the ongoing tournament and all her matches have finished under 45 minutes.
The dominant top seed will face a familiar foe in Hong Kong's Yip Pui Yin, the fifth seed in the tournament, who is ranked 20 places below Saina in the BWF rankings. Notably, the London Games bronze medallist has a 6-2 head-to-head advantage over her opponent and their rivalry dates back to 2007. However, the last time Yip their duel was at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
On Friday, Yip ended Malaysia's campaign in the singles category at the ongoing tournament when she outclassed local favourite Ying Ying in straight games in the quarter-final (21-18, 21-16). The 29-year-old though has to punch above her weight if she needs to stand a chance against the in-form Indian shuttler in the semi-final.
The winner of the second semi-final will face the winner of the first last-four match between Cheung Ngan Yi and Pornpawee Chochuwong in the title match on Sunday.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports 1
