Saina Nehwal loses 18-21, 19-21 to Ukraine's Marija Ulitina

Nehwal's Olympic campaign comes to an end with this loss

Saina Nehwal crashed out of the Rio Olympics in a stunning upset after losing 18-21, 19-21 to Ukraine's Marija Ulitina in the Group G match on Sunday.

Ulitina is ranked 61 in Badminton World Federation's Womens Singles world rankings. Saina is ranked 5th.  

Saina lost the first set 18-21, despite taking the lead initially.

She wasn't able to counter Ulitina in the second set either, losing 19-21. 

Read our full coverage on the 2016 Rio Olympics

In her previous match too, Saina had to put up a tough fight against the local Brazilian girl, who ranked 72 in the world rankings.

 

Saina got off to a winning start in Rio but faced unexpectedly tough opposition from unheralded Brazilian opponent Vicente Lohaynny. 

The London Olympic bronze medallist said that Lohaynny "surprised her".

"First round is always tricky and difficult to play. Definitely I was taken for a surprise. The crowd was cheering her a lot also so she had the (home) advantage. It was a confidence boost for her. It was not the best or worst match but I am happy with the way I played. The draw is very tough, I just want to take one match at a time," Saina said after her 21-17, 21-17 win in 39 minutes.

Prior to her loss, the largest Indian badminton contingent at the Olympics had already seen two of its medal hopes dashed out early in the group stages itself when the combinations of Ashwini Ponnappa-Jwala Gutta and Manu Attri-Sumeeth Reddy crashed out.

Here's how twitter reacted to her unexpected loss:

Saina Nehwal crashes out..all eyes on Sania Mirza and Bopanna now! #Rio2016

— Mahavir (@mahacrook) August 14, 2016

Saina Nehwal. So close. So very close against the Ukrainian. India's biggest hope for an Olympic medal crashing out :( #Rio2016 #badminton

— Paperback Mumbaikar (@connar101) August 14, 2016

Defeat Signs From Start: Saina's match jinxed! In Game-1 she led 5-1 but Court-TV favoured Ukraine #Rio2016 #SainaNehwal #IndiaAtRio

— Humans Err! (@MickyAigner) August 14, 2016

Saina nehwal disappoints her fans but defeat in 2 straight sets is shocking shows lack of fighting sprit in last phase of the second set

— Ashoksaxena (@drashoksaxena) August 14, 2016

Saina Nehwal Is Also Out Of #Rio2016

RT If You Feel Karma Is Hitting Us Indians For Declaring #SalmanKhan As Brand Ambassador For #Olympics

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) August 14, 2016

If we can praise our athletes, we should learn 2 criticise them too. Just good about their bad performance will hurt them only. Saina Nehwal

— Chirag Kothari (@ChiragJKothari) August 14, 2016

Given her knee injury, well played Saina Nehwal..But this is a major setback. #Rio2016

— Rohit Nain (@RohitNain52) August 14, 2016

Sometimes you win sometimes you learn, it's not the end here @NSaina #Rio2016 we love you Saina Nehwal ? #Ind

— Anjie (@_Baatcutter) August 14, 2016

Saina Nehwal played well but Utilina played exceptionals even ranked 61. Congratulations to Utilina. Saina you tried your best,keep it up.

— Deepak Sunar (@Nepalilight) August 14, 2016