Saina Nehwal failed to emulate Prakash Padukone at All England Open. But she ensured that within few months she emulates his other unique feat as she became the first Indian Woman and second Indian to reach the top of the World Ranking in Badminton Women Singles. At England Open, she became the third Indian to enter the finals but failed to win the title like the other two. Carolina Marin, who defeated her in the finals, competed with her at India Open Super Series 2015 as second seed. One of them were set to become World No. 1 in women’s singles. But, Carolina lost the semifinal today making Saina the second Indian after Prakash Padukone (1980) to achieve the feat. Check Saina Nehwal’s record as Winner and Runners up in all international events, including her record as Junior.
Saina Nehwal has achieved many firsts for India but becoming World No. 1 was nothing less than a dream come true. She is only the second non-chinese Badminton Women Singles player after Tine Baun (Denmark) to reach the top spot. Saina has reached World ranking No. 2 on 15 July 2010 also. But from then she moved to out of 10th rank by December 2010.
Saina’s Indian Records
- 1st Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships (2008).
1st Indian to win a Super Series tournament (Indonesia Open, 2009)
1st Indian singles player to reach the final of BWF Super Series Masters Finals (2011).
1st Indian woman to win the China Open Super Series Premier (2014).
2nd Indian to win a 4-star tournament (the Philippines Open, 2006).
3rd Indian to enter the finals of All England Open (2015).
Bronze Medal in London Olympics 2012.
Bronze in Commonwealth Games 2006.
Gold medal in Commonwealth Games 2010.
Gold medal in Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.
Saina’s Coaches
- SM Arif
Pullela Gopichand
Vimal Kumar
Awards
- 2008: Most Promising Player of the Year (2008) award by Badminton World Federation
2009: Arjuna Award
2009–2010: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
2010: Padma Shri
Padma Bhushan
Saina Nehwal was born at Hisar, Haryana. After few years of schooling her family shifted to Hyderabad. Check the list of her winners.
Individual Titles
| Event | Won | 2nd |
| Super Series Premier – 3 | 2012 Indonesia Ope 2012 Denmark Open 2014 China Open |
2011 Indonesia Open 2011 Super Series Masters Finals 2015 All England 2015 China Open |
| Super Series – 7 | 2009 Indonesia Open 2010 Singapore Open 2010 Indonesia Open 2010 Hong Kong Open 2014 Australian Open 2015 India Open 2016 Australian Open |
2012 French Open |
| Grand Prix Gold – 9 | 2006 Philippines Open 2008 Chinese Taipei Open 2010 India Open 2011 Swiss Open 2012 Swiss Open 2012 Thailand Open 2014 India Grand Prix Gold 2015 Syed Modi International 2017 Malaysian Masters |
2011 Malaysia Masters |
| Grand Prix – 4 | 2005 India Asian Satellite 2006 India Asian Satellite 2009 India Grand Prix 2010 Commonwealth Games |
2007 India International Challenge |
| BWF Event | 0 | 2015 World Championships |
| Juniors | 2003 Czech Junior International 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 World Junior Championships |
2006 World Junior Championships |
Individual Runners up
-
2007 India International Challenge: Lost 13–21, 18–21 to Kanako Yonekura (Japan)
2011 Malaysia Masters: Lost 21–13, 8–21, 14–21 to Wang Xin (China)
2011 Indonesia Open: Lost 21–12, 21–23, 14–21 to Wang Yihan (China)
2011 Super Series Masters Finals: Lost 21–18, 13–21, 13–21 to Wang Yihan (China)
2012 French Open: Lost 19–21, 11–21 to Minatsu Mitani (Japan)
2015 All England: Lost 21–16, 14–21, 7–21 to Carolina Marin (Spain)
2015 World Championships: Lost 16–21, 19–21 to Carolina Marin (Spain)
2015 China Open: Lost 12–21, 15–21 to Li Xuerui (China)
Juniors International Runners up
2006 World Junior Championships: Lost 13-21 9-21 to Wang Yihan (China)
Leave a Reply