Badminton

Saina Nehwal loses in Malaysia quarters

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal played her heart out but eventually ran out of steam as French Hongyan Pi beat her in a gruelling quarterfinal encounter of the Malaysian Super Series on Friday.

The World number 10 Indian went down 17-21 26-24 16-21 to Pi, whom she had beaten in the World Super Series last month, after a nerve-wracking 56-minute battle. World number eight Pi made her intentions clear right from the start and opened a 9-6 lead before stretching it to 15-9.

But Saina soon narrowed the gap to 13-15 claiming four straight points. However, the Indian could not keep up the pace and the first game slipped out of her hands 17-21.However, the Hyderabadi teen run out of steam in the last games and after some initial resistance, she lost the plot as Pi walked away with the game 21-16.

Saina will next play in the Korea Super Series from January 13-18 next week.

Tags: Saina Nehwal