10 years of Saina Nehwal - a look back in pictures

2008 – The breakthrough year

Saina at the Beijing Olympics

After missing out in 2006, Saina went one better in 2008 and won the World Junior Championships by beating Sayaka Sato in the final in straight games.

Entering into her maiden Olympics in the Chinese capital of Beijing, Saina showed little nerves on the biggest stage, becoming the first Indian women’s shuttler to enter the quarterfinals of an Olympics, where she lost a thriller to Maria Kristin Yulianti 16-28, 21-14 21-15.

Later that year, she would be the named “The Most Promising Player” and would round off the year with a semifinal finish at the World Superseries.

Titles won:

• World Junior Championships