Shuttler Saina Nehwal received a huge boost ahead of the Rio Olympics as she clinched her second Australian Open Super Series title after defeating China’s Sun Yu in a thrilling three-game final in Sydney. The 26-year-old from Hyderabad eked out a 11-21, 21-14 21-19 victory over World No 12 Sun in a fighting summit clash that lasted an hour and 12 minutes.

London Olympics bronze medallist Saina, who had beaten two world champions — Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon (2013) and China’s Yihan Wang (2011) — in the quarterfinals and semifinals, thus clinched her maiden title of the season and pocketed a cheque of $56,250.

It is Saina’s second Australian Open victory, having clinched the title in 2014 as well. It ended a rather long title drought for the celebrated Indian, whose previous silverware was at the India Super Series in New Delhi last year.

Saina had defeated Sun five times in the last five outings but she faced a tough challenge against the 22-year-old Chinese, who took just 18 minutes to wrap up the opening game at the Sydney Olympic Park.

Did You Know?

• Saina Nehwal is the first Indian to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics.
• She achieved this feat by winning the Bronze medal at the London Olympics 2012 on 4 August 2012.
• She is also the first Indian after Prakash Padukone and the first Indian woman to become world number 1 badminton player.
• Besides these, she is the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships and was also the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament, by clinching the Indonesia Open on 21 June 2009.
• Saina is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest, a program of the Foundation for Promotion of Sports and Games.