Despite winning only one of the six Super Series titles so far this year, Saina Nehwal is No.3 in the list of top earners for women badminton players in 2016. Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying leads the pack with a prize money of $102,675 while Saina has pocketed $77,275. Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon, whose fantastic show this year included three straight Super Series victories, claimed a handsome $97,800.
Tai, who is Saina's most feared opponent having beaten the Indian the last six times, catapulted to the top as she won the $950,000 Indonesia Open, which offers the second highest prize money for players. It fetches the singles champion $67,500. The $100,000 Dubai Super Series Finals offers the maximum for the shuttlers.
In men's singles, Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei tops the list with $109,800. China's Lin Dan ($53,825) is second while Jan O Jorgensen ($46,525) of Denmark is third.
The strong show in Sydney has helped Saina move up two places to No.6 in the rankings. Despite her first round exit, Sindhu was static at No.10. Kidambi Srikanth improved two places to No.11 in men's singles while Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa dropped one spot to No.16 in women's doubles.
