Date:25/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/25/stories/2006082508532100.htm

Sport - Badminton

Saina bows out

Seoul: Saina Nehwal failed to produce a giant-killing act and lost to the higher ranked Soratja Chansrisukot of Thailand in the pre-quarterfinals of the Yonex Korea Open badminton championship here on Thursday.

Saina, the World No.51, could not match the guiles of the Thai, who is ranked 14 places higher, and went down 21-10, 21-19 in just 28 minutes of the six star event.

Saina, who became the first Indian women to win a four star event by claiming the Philippine Open title in May, failed to make a mark in the much bigger tournament.

She had struggled in the earlier two rounds en route to the pre-quarterfinals.

With her loss, the Indian challenge came to an end with none of the others getting past the second round. — UNI