Saina, yet so far

Saina Nehwal during her All-England semi-final loss on Saturday PIC/AFP

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

Down 1-5 in the first game, Nehwal 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 Nehwal's game crumbled.

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

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