Gunning for a record ninth national title, defending champion Aparna Popat of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board made it to the women's final of the Canara Bank [Get Quote] 70th National Senior Badminton Championships in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Aparna had to sweat it out against second seed B R Meenkshi, also from PSPB, before emerging victorious 11-8, 11-13, 11-7 in a keen tussle that lasted 72 minutes.

In Wednesday's final she will meet teammate Saina Nehwal [Images], who had beaten her in the Asian Satellite Championships in Delhi in October.

Saina packed off top seed Triputi Murgunde, also of PSPB, 11-9, 11-8.

In men's section, top seeded Arvind Bhat (PSPB) moved into the final, defeating third seed Chetan Anand (PSPB) 15-8, 15-9 in an encounter that lasted 46 minutes.