Saina Nehwal falls to Li Xuerui again, bows out of Malaysian Open semi-finals

Ace Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal bowed out of the 500,000 Malaysia Open Super Series Premier after losing her semifinal clash to Olympic champion Li Xuerui, here Saturday.

World number one Saina had a one-game advantage but eventually lost 21-13 17-21 20-22 to the world number three in a gruelling final that lasted one hour and eight minutes at Putra Stadium.

Saina, who won the India Open Super Series last week, once again failed to come good against Xuerui, who has now beaten the Indian nine times in 11 meetings.

Saina has emerged triumphant against the Chinese player only on two occasions- 2010 Singapore Open and 2012 Indonesia Open.

PTI