Summary:
Cuttack, Jan 29 (PTI) Teenager Unnati Hooda produced a stunning performance to take down in-form shuttler Malvika Bansod in straight games and cruise to the women"s singles final of the Odisha Open here on Saturday.
The 14-year-old Unnati fought hard to grab a 24-22 24-22 victory over favourite Malvika in a nail-biting 50-minute semifinal clash at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Indoor Stadium.
Malvika has been in good nick recently, having defeated her idol Saina Nehwal at the India Open earlier this month before losing to PV Sindhu in the final of the Syed Modi International last week.
She had also defeated junior world No.
1 Tasnim Mir in the pre-quarterfinals here.
The win against Malvika would be a huge confidence booster for Unnati, who is ranked 418th in the world.