The top seed defeated Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon 21-16, 21-14 in 49 minutes. Rathchanok is a former World Champion. Saina had defeated Yui Hashimoto of Japan 21-15 21-11 in the semifinal in 43 minutes.
Saina Nehwal, the Olympic bronze medalist, became the world number one even before she took the court for the semi-final clash. Saina had lost in the All England Open Championship final to her closest competitor, Carolina Marin of Spain. Marin lost to Ratchan ok in the semifinal.