In a major blow to Indian badminton fans, World no. 10 and star shuttler Saina Nehwal crashed out of the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament after she suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of World No 226 Zhang Yiman from China by 12-21, 17-21, in a quarter final match which lasted for around 34 minutes.
In the first game, the London Olympics bronze medallist failed to handle the dominant and aggressive show from her Chinese counterpart and lost the first set 12-21.
In the second game, Saina fought back and took a massive five-point lead at the start to go 5-0 up, but the determined 19-year-old clawed her way back into the match to take the game 21-17 to ensure exit for Saina Nehwal.
It was for the second time that Saina failed to make it to the semis after making a comeback following right knee surgery after the Rio Olympics 2016. She was earlier crahsed out from the Hong Kong Open Super Series tournament.
Meanwhile, B. Sai Praneeth, who earlier defeated fifth seed Wong Wing Ki Vincent 21-15 21-17 to advance into the quarter-finals of the tournament, is the only hope left for India.
Sai Praneeth will take on Chinese Zhao Jun Peng in men’s single category later in the day.
In other match, Parupalli Kashyap, making a comeback after a long layoff, bowed out of the tournament losing his second round match to Chinese Taipei's Lin Yu Hsien 13-21, 20-22.
In a match which lasted 45 minutes, Kashyap gave away the first game easily but in the second game he displayed some quality strokes -- he, however, failed to overpower his opponent.
In men's doubles category, it was end of road for Indian pair Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy who were beaten by Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Hendra Wijaya of Singapore 22-20, 21-19.
The Indian duo started the proceedings on a good note but after a hard fought battle they lost the first game.
