In the end, it was not to be. Saina Nehwal, who had raised Indian hopes at the World Badminton Championships, was dealt a severe psychological blow by defending champion Carolina Marin, thanks to yesterday’s two-game demolition in the final.

Against the Spaniard, Saina gave everything she had as she fought for every point, but in the end she was outgunned, outsmashed and out-maneuvered by a superior opponent. However, Saina was not given time to craft out a strategy or play to a plan.