Saina won Gold Medal!

The dragon-slayer is back. Packing lots of acidity in her smashes, affective apace on the cloister and employing bamboozlement in the drops to adverse effect, Saina Nehwal landed her career's best win by absolute the Hong Kong Super Series title. In a pulsating final on Sunday, Saina beaten Shixian Wang of China 15-21, 21-16, 21-17.

In Pics: Hong Kong Super Series | Factfile: Saina Nehwal

Capping a path-breaking year with a animated show, the shuttle awareness silenced the critics who questioned her adeptness to accouterment the Chinese, who abhorrence alone two players in the apple - Saina and Tine Baun. Though they accept managed to assignment out Tine, Saina has been a arrow in the flesh. Their affliction fears came accurate back the Hyderabadi abashed their Asian Games gold medallist.

Saina, who bankrupt into the top bristles in March, won three back-to-back titles this June, the Commonwealth gold in October and the celebrated Hong Kong Super Series on Sunday.

"This is the better achievement of my career. I am activity great. This has been a ablaze year for me and finishing the division with a big win is aloof amazing. I can't ask for more," Saina said from Hong Kong.

Saina had absent to Shixian in the quarterfinals of the Apple Championships. "I accept been adage that she's not a actual boxy player. I am consistently assured arena her. But assault Pui Yin Yip (to whom Saina absent in the Asiad quarters) and Shixian is absolutely pleasing. This actuality the aftermost big clash of the year, I capital to accord my best," Saina said.

Saina attempt off to an aboriginal advance of 11-5 in the additional bold and did able-bodied to accumulate the drive going. Starting on the tougher ancillary in the decider, Saina went into the breach with a 11-9 advance and already she confused to the adequate ancillary of the court, she bedeviled her rival.

"It's a absurd victory, the best in her career so far. She has been actual constant throughout the year. We will assignment adamantine appear comestible the momentum," said her drillmaster Pullela Gopichand. Even afterwards this win there may not be a abundant jump in her ranking. She may still abide at four or move to No.3.