Dubai: India’s Saina Nehwal on Friday eased into the semi-finals of the women’s singles competition at the BWF Destination Dubai World Superseries Finals being held at the Hamdan Sports Complex here.

Cheered on by a modest holiday crowd, the Indian badminton star fought back from a set down to better South Korea’s world number eight Bae Yeon-ju 15-21, 21-7, 21-17 to qualify at the top of Group A with a perfect record.

Sung Ji-hyun, ranked fifth and the second South Korean in the group, was the other qualifier with a 2-1 record.

The two qualifiers from Group B were the unbeaten Akane Yamaguchi of Japan and world number nine Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei.

Nehwal admitted she got a little ahead of herself during Friday’s match. “I should have fought a little bit. I already had my mind on the next round. Bae is a tough player and she loves to keep the rallies going.” the Indian said.

But Nehwal was able to pin her Korean opponent to the back of the court, which allowed her to take the second set 21-7. “That was not an easy set at all. And although I knew I was already in the semis, I decided to just go for it,” she added.

The third and deciding set was again a close affair, with Bae matching Nehwal for every point. But, with the crowd on her side, the Indian found some inspiration as she broke free at 11-9 before wrapping up set and match 21-17.

“Once I am on court it is always my intention to win. I knew I was in the semis, but that hunger to win for the sake of the fans was always there,” Nehwal said.

“The first three days of the competition have not been easy and the next two days will be equally tough as these are the best players in the world. I am okay with anyone I am pitted against in the semi-finals.”

Two of the men’s singles semi-finalists were decided in the morning session, with Hans-Kristian Vittinghus of Denmark out-witting Kenichi Tago of Japan 21-19, 21-16 to make the last four in a world superseries event for the first time.

The Dane, who has shown good form in this competition with two wins, finished second in Group A behind world champion Chen Long of China, who maintained his winning touch.

The two semi-finalists from Group B were to be decided later on Friday after the third and final match between Denmark’s Jan O. Jorgensen and India’s K. Srikanth.

The draw for the semi-finals was to be decided later on Friday night at the end of third and final day’s play in the preliminary group stages.