Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal bowed out of the Malaysia Open badminton championship following a semifinal defeat in a thrilling three-set game against tournament top seed Li Xuerui of China in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Nehwal, who had peaked to the top of the world rankings following her India Open win last month, lost 21-13, 17-21, 20-22 to Xuerui in a game that lasted 67 minutes with both the players showcasing their brilliant talent before the world number two held her nerves to win the semifinal tie.
Xuerui would now play All England champion Carolina Marin, who defeated second seed Wang Shixian of China 21-17, 24-22 in the other semifinal, in the tournament final.
