Saina Nehwal claims Indonesia Masters title after Carolina Marin retires

It was not the way in which she wanted to win the title at the Indonesia Masters in Jakarta. Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal added another feat to her long list of achievements after Carolina Marin retired due to a leg injury. She secured her first world tour title after more than 2 years.

In the first game, Carolina started well by dominating through her attacking game. She was in the lead when she landed awkwardly and got herself injured. She tried to continue playing but she couldn't and was forced to retire with tears in her eyes when she was 10-4 up in the opening game.

Eventually, Saina bagged the title at the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters 2019 Super 500 world tour event. It was her first title after a new world tour format was introduced on the BWF circuit. She was runner-up last year after losing to Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei.

Earlier, Saina Nehwal beat He Bingjiao of China in the semi-finals on Saturday in a tight gruelling match. She beat the former youth Olympic champion 18-21, 21-12, 21-18 in a 58-minute long match.

Saina Nehwal with Parupalli Kashyap after the medal ceremony

In the second semi-finals, Carolina Marin had come out on top after beating another Chinese youngster Chen Yufei in three games. She beat Chen 17-21, 21-11, 23-21 in an hour and six-minute-long match.

"It is an important year for all of us. It was not good to see at all. It is painful. I have been getting injured a lot in the last few years and to see something like this on the court is really painful", said Saina in the post-match interview in Jakarta.

The Istora Senayan stadium has always been lucky for Saina. She herself won three titles in four consecutive finals from 2009-2012 at the Indonesia Open. She also contested the final of the BWF World Championship in 2015 against Carolina at this stadium.