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Saina crashes out of All England Super Series
PTI
Last Updated IST
Saina Nehwal of India prepares to serve during her semi final match against Tine Rasmussen of Denmark during The All England Open Badminton Championships at The National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, central England on March 13, 2010. AFP
Saina Nehwal of India prepares to serve during her semi final match against Tine Rasmussen of Denmark during The All England Open Badminton Championships at The National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, central England on March 13, 2010. AFP

Saina became the first Indian woman to reach the semifinals of the prestigious tournament but her journey was cut short by Rasmussen of Denmark, who beat her 21-19 21-17 in a 37-minute battle.

Down 1-5 in the first game, Saina picked up four straight points to make it 5-5 and then moved neck and neck till 19-19 but Rusmessen had the last laugh as she sealed the game with two straight points.

In the second game, the world number seven Indian had raced to narrow lead of 3-1 but the Dane soon surged ahead at 9-4 and held the fort as Saina's game crumbled.

Earlier, the Hyderabadi had beaten German Juliane 21-8, 21-14 in just 27 minutes to reach the semi-final at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.

Saina had also beaten Judith Meulendijks of the Netherlands and Korean Seung Hee Bae in the first two rounds of the tournament.

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(Published 13 March 2010, 21:33 IST)