India’s top shuttler Saina Nehwal began her Olympics campaign with a hard-fought win over Brazil’s Lohaynny Vicente in the women's singles event on Thursday.

Local favourite Vicente made sure that Nehwal, currently World No 5, had to dig deep in the first set to gain the upper hand. Eventually, Nehwal won it 21-17. In the second set, Nehwal upped the ante and despite pressure from her opponent, managed to prevail 21-17 to take the match.