Saina Nehwal faced tough resistance from Brazilian player Lohaynny Vicente but did just about enough at crucial junctures to post a win on the start of the tournament. She won 21-17, 21-17 in a match that lasted 39 minutes.

Saina started brightly to take a 6-2 lead in the first game but that is when the Brazilian came back into things to reduce the deficit. At the break, Saina lead 11-10.

The close contest continued after the water break with the two players locked at 17-17. Then Saina turned on the charm to win four points in a row to win the first game 21-17.

In the second game, Saina squandered her early lead once again to go from 11-5 to 14-11.

The Brazilian won three points in a row to delay the inevitable which happened after 17 minutes in the second game as Saina won the second game by 21-17 too.

Next up for Saina is Ukraine’s Maria Ulitina.