World Badminton Championships, Highlights, Day 5: Saina Nehwal Beats Kirsty Gilmour, Enters Semis

Saina Nehwal got the better of Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour 21-19, 18-21, 21-15 to make her way to the semi-finals of the World Badminton Championships on Friday. Earlier, PV Sindhu dominated her opponent Sun Yu of China from the word go and won the match 21-14, 21-9 to storm into the semi-finals. Sindhu did not allow her opponent to settle and was in full control of the proceedings. The match ended in just 39 minutes.

Catch all the highlights from World Badminton Championships in Glasgow here.

01:05 IST: SAINA NEHWAL BEATS KIRSTY GILMOUR 21-19, 18-21, 21-15 TO ENTER WOMEN'S SINGLES SEMIS

01:02 IST: It's 20-13 now. Saina one point away from the win.

01:01 IST: Saina Nehwal leads 19-12.

00:59 IST: Saina Nehwal 4 points away from booking her semi-final berth.

00:57 IST: A brilliant forehand and then a smash. Gilmour wins the rally. She still trails 10-16.

00:56 IST: Gilmour comes forward and plays a powerful smash. The Scottish still trails 9-16.

00:54 IST: Gilmour plays a backhand but the shuttlecock lands outside the baseline. Saina leads 14-8.

00:53 IST: Kirsty Gilmour starts with a cross smash after the break. She trails 7-11 now.

00:51 IST: Saina Nehwal leads the final game 11-5 at break.

00:50 IST: Saina Nehwal has a silver medal at the World Championships. She had won in 2015. 

00:49 IST: Another smash from Saina. She is doing exactly what Gilmour was doing the second game. Saina leads the decider 10-4.

00:47 IST: Excellent smash from Saina Nehwal. Gilmour didn't have much time to react. Saina leads 8-4.

00:44 IST: What a start from Saina Nehwal. She is dominating from the start. The Indian leads 5-0.

00:43 IST: The third and final game is underway. Can Saina beat Gilmour to enter semi-finals?

00:40 IST: Kirsty Gilmour wins second game 21-18. Final game to decide the semi-finalist.

00:39 IST: Good technique from Saina. She was playing around the nets and didn't give Gilmour a chance. Saina makes it 18-20.

00:38 IST: Game point for Gilmour.

00:37 IST: A brilliant rally between Saina and Gilmour. A forced error costs Gilmour a point. Saina trails 16-19 in the second game.

00:35 IST: Gilmour is three points away from winning this game. She leads 18-14.

00:32 IST: Powerful smash from Gilmour. She leads 15-11.

00:31 IST: Excellent comeback from Saina. She wins two points and makes it 11-13.

00:30 IST: Two back-to-back points for Gilmour. She leads the second game 13-9.

00:29 IST: Kirsty Gilmour leads 11-9 at break.

00:25 IST: Gilmour is dealing in smashes right now. She gets a point with a brilliant smash. The Scottish leads 8-7.

00:21 IST: Unforced error from Gilmour. It's 6-6 now.

00:19 IST: Gilmour has started playing some aggressive shots. A solid smash has earned her a point. The Scottish leads 3-2.

00:18 IST: Brilliant start from the Indian shuttler. She leads 2-1 in the second game.

00:17 IST: The second game is underway. Can Saina win the second game to make her way to the semi-finals?

00:15 IST: Saina Nehwal wins first game 21-19 vs Kirsty Gilmour

00: 14 IST: Saina Nehwal takes this point with a cheeky shot. Game point for her.

00:13 IST: What a rally. Gilmour takes the point finally. It's 19-19.

00:12 IST: Gilmour hits this outside the base line. Saina gets a point. It's 18-18.

00:10 IST: Jump and smash! Gilmour plays this smash with full power. She leads the first game 18-17. It is going to be close fight between the two.

00:07 IST: Two back-to-back points for Saina Nehwal.

00:06 IST: Unforced error from Saina Nehwal after a long rally. Gilmour leads first game 16-12.

00:05 IST: Excellent comeback from Saina. The Indian shuttler makes it 12-14 vs Gilmour.

00:02 IST: Two back-to-back points for Gilmour. The Scottish leads 14-8.

00:01 IST: Saina Nehwal trailing 8-11 at mid break.

23:59 IST: A powerful smash from Gilmour. It's 8-all now.

23:57 IST: Saina Nehwal off to a brilliant start. She clinches back-to-back points to take 8-6 lead against Gilmour.

23:49 IST: Can Saina beat Kirsty Okuhara to enter the semis?

23:47 IST: The wait is over! Saina Nehwal is making her way to the court.

23:18 IST: Okuhara Nozomi wins first game 21-18 against Spain's Carolina Marin.

22:48 IST: Another exciting clash in underway. Rio Olympics Gold medallist Carolina Marin is up against Okuhara Nozomi.

22:45 IST: Chen Long beats Tian Houwei 21-12, 21-17 to enter men's singles semi-finals.

22:37 IST: Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda beat Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding 21-13, 23-21 to enter men's doubles semi-finals

22:07 IST: In men's doubles, Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda win first game 21-13 against Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding.

22:05 IST: Chen Long wins first game 21-12 against Tian Houwei.

21:40 IST: Japan's Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda is up against Denmark's Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding in the men's double event.

21:00 IST: Next round of matches will begin at 21:30 IST. Stay tuned as Saina Nehwal will be in action against Kirsty Gilmour.

20:17 IST: Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi beat China's Bao Yixin and Yu Xiaohan of China 21-13, 22-25-27, 21-19.

20:07 IST: Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi of Japan take 11-10 lead at mid-break of the final game.

19:52 IST: Bao Yixin and Yu Xiaohan of China keep their hope alive by taking the second game 27-25.

19:17 IST: In women's doubles, Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi of Japan take the first game 21-13 against Bao Yixin and Yu Xiaohan of China

18:46 IST: And Sindhu has done it! She enters the women's singles semi-finals, beat Sun Yu of China 21-14, 21-9 in just 39 minutes.

The 2-time bronze medallists assures a medal at the Worlds for India!

PV Sindhu defeats Sun Yu 21-14, 21-9 to enter #2017BWC SEMIS. pic.twitter.com/XR9TStSNI8

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

18:43 IST: Sindhu showing her class with a lovely drop shot, leads 18-8.

18:41 IST: Sindhu comes back in the game with three consecutive points, leads 15-8.

Sindhu is inching closer.

Six points away from a semis spot. Leading 15-8 against Sun Yu. Come on!! #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

18:39 IST: A very good body smash by Sun Yu to take a point, trails 7-12.

18:37 IST: Half-way through the second game, Sindhu leads 11-4.

PV Sindhu continues to dominate.

Leading 11-4 against Sun Yu at the break of the second game. Way to go, girl! #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

18:34 IST: Sun Yu fighting back, trails Sindhu 4-8.

18:31 IST: Five consecutive points for Sindhu to lead 6-1.

18:28 IST: The rally which consisted of 38 shots long was finally won by Sindhu with a authoritative smash to take the first point in the second game.  

18:25 IST: Sindhu takes the first game 21-14, mixed-up her drop shots and smashes beautifully.

.@Pvsindhu1 controls the proceedings in the opening game to win it 21-14 against World Number 6 Sun Yu. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

18:23 IST: Bit of resistance from her Chinese opponent, but Sindhu manages to lead 19-11. 

18:20 IST: Comeback for Sun Yu, gets three consecutive points, trails 9-16.

18:17 IST: Sindhu is running away with the first game, leads 15-5.

18:14 IST: Half-way through the first game, Sindhu leads 11-4.

A healthy lead at the break for Sindhu. Leading 11-4 against Sun Yu. Fantastic start! #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

18:13 IST: Sindhu is dominating Sun Yu with a 5-point lead.

18:11 IST: Wonderful smash from Sindhu down the line to extend her lead 6-4.

18:07 IST: Brilliant start from Sindhu, takes three consecutive points, leads 3-0.

3 scintillating winners to start the proceedings.

Sindhu 3-0 Sun. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

18:06 IST: PV Sindhu starts the proceedings and gets a point right away.

18:02 IST: Both players are in the court!

18:00 IST: India's PV Sindhu is up against China's Sun Yu in the women's singles quarter finals.

17:58 IST: Denmark's Viktor Axelsen defeats Chou Tien Chen 21-18, 20-22, 21-16 to enter the semi-finals.

17:47 IST: Half-way through the third game, Axelsen leads Chen 11-9.

17:35 IST: What a comeback from Chen, wins the second game 22-20.

17:29 IST: The second game is getting intense, Axelsen draws level at 16-16.

17:09 IST: Denmark's Axelsen wins the first game 21-18.

16:55 IST: Half-way through the first game, Chen leads Axelsen 11-10

16:45 IST: Men's singles match between Viktor Axelsen and Chou Tien Chen is underway.

16:35 IST: Yufei Chen beats Ratchanok Intanon 14-21, 21-16, 21-12 to enter women's singles semi-finals.

16:17 IST: Chen Yu Fei claims the second game 21-16.

16:06 IST: Ratchanok Intanon leads the second game 11-9.

15:54 IST: Itanon wins the first game 21-14.

15:43 IST: In the first match of women's singles, Ratchanok Intanon leads Chen 11-5.

15:28 IST: Srikanth fought back in the second game but too many unforced errors cost him the match.

It would have been an incredible comeback as Srikanth was trailing 5-16 in the 2nd game at one stage but eventually lost it 18-21. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

15:27 IST: Son Wan Ho gets the better of Kidambi Srikanth as he wins 21-14, 21-18. 

No!!!

Srikanth Kidambi bows out of #2017BWC after losing to Son Wan Ho 14-21, 18-21. Tried everything to make a comeback but not to be...

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

15:25 IST: Poor judgement call from Son Wan Ho, Kidambi is closing in on the world number one, 16-19.

15:23 IST: It seems Kidambi has got his momentum back and is playing freely, trails 14-18.

15:20 IST: The South Korean breaks Srikanth's seven point streak, leads 17-12. 

15:18 IST: Kidambi Srikanth is getting back in the game, gets five consecutive points, trails 10-16

6 points on a trot for Srikanth.

Trailing 11-16 now. Closing in! #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

15:16 IST: Three brilliant smashes from Kidambi gets him back-to-back points, trails 8-16.

15:15 IST: Son Wan Ho running away with the second game as well, leads 15-5.

Son is stamping his authority over Srikanth.

Extends the lead to 14-5 in the second game. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

15:12 IST: Series of unforced errors costing Kidambi dear, he trails 5-13.

15:10 IST: Things looking gloomy for the Indian in the second game as well.

15:09 IST: Half-way through the second game, the Indian trails 4-11.

Son Wan Ho continues his domination.

Goes into the break with a 7 point advantage over Srikanth. 11-4. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

15:07 IST: The world number one is dominating the India, gets five consecutive points, he leads 8-2.

Son continues to have the upper hand over Srikanth. Leading 7-2. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

15:05 IST: Unlucky for Kidambi as his shoe comes off in the back court, trails 2-5.

15:03 IST: Brilliant smash from Kidambi, he trails 2-3 in the second game.

15:00 IST: Son Wan Ho wins the first game 21-14.

14:59 IST: Poor net play from the Indian.

14:57 IST: Son Wan Ho is running away with the first game, he leads 19-14.

14:55 IST: Four consecutive points for the South Korean, he leads 17-12.

Son extends his lead. 5 points advantage for the Korean. Makes it 17-12 against Srikanth. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

14:52 IST: Brilliant defensive play from Kidambi and an overhead smash gives him a point, he trails 12-13. 

Srikanth gets the better of Son in a 39 shot rally. Trails 12-13 against Son.

Powerful jump smash #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

14:51 IST: A bad judgement call from the South Korean gives Kidambi a point.

14:48 IST: Half-way through the first game, Kidambi trails Son Wan Ho 8-11.

14:46 IST: Kidambi draws level at 8-8.

Srikanth draws level A straight smash which Son couldn't return. 8-8. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

14:44 IST: Four consecutive points for Kidambi.

14:42 IST: Smash into the net, another unforced error from Kidambi. He now trails 1-6.

14:40 IST: Smash from Kidambi has been ruled out but the Indian challenges the call. It's out! The South Korean leads 3-1.

Plenty of aggression from Son early on. Leading 4-1 against Srikanth. #2017BWC

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

14:39 IST: Brilliant cross-court drop shot from the Korean as he takes the first point.

14:37 IST: So, the game begins! Son Wan Ho starts the proceedings.

14:34 IST: Kidambi Srikanth and Son Wan Ho have arrived in the court.

14:24 IST: We are just minutes away!

Son Wan Ho v Srikanth Kidambi#AustraliaSS: Kidambi#IndonesiaSSP: Kidambi#2017BWC : pic.twitter.com/QWWMryPPIM

— PBL India (@PBLIndiaLive) August 25, 2017

14:15 IST: Son Wan Ho is known for his gritty defence and it will be interesting to see how the world number 1 plays Srikanth's attacking and aggressive game.

13:49 IST: Srikanth will look to keep his winning streak intact.

Good win today against the in form Danish player. Feels like getting better by match. #WorldChampionships2017 #teamindia #believe #achieve pic.twitter.com/w8N9JytCLb

— Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) August 24, 2017

13:41 IST: Quarter-final Fixtures, Day 5:

India's star performers will look to continue the winning run. Watch them in action LIVE on Star Sports. #2017BWC pic.twitter.com/H8M8JQ4MxI

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) August 25, 2017

13:40 IST: Hello and welcome to the live blog of World Badminton Championships.

Srikanth, however, eased into the quarterfinals with yet another straight-game win over Denmark's Anders Antonsen in men's singles.
 
On a 12-match winning streak, Srikanth knocked out World No. 18 Antonsen 21-14 21-18. The World No. 10 Indian will clash with top seed and World No. 1 Korean Son Wan Ho in the quarterfinals.
 
Srikanth, who finished at the pre-quarterfinals in the last two editions, has a 4-4 head-to-head record against Son, whom he has beaten twice this year en route to his titles at Indonesia and Australia in June.