Saina Nehwal became the first Indian badminton player to reach the semi-finals of an Olympic Games with a performance outstanding enough to suggest she is capable of going on to win a medal. The fourth-seeded Commonwealth champion from Hyderabad did that by overcoming Tine Baun, the former world number one from Denmark by 21-15, 22-20 in an excellent contest which ended on a controversial point.
Nehwal was 17-20 down against a dangerously attack-minded opponent but played an impeccably accurate last five points to swing the match dramatically in her favour. "I am very happy I have done well for myself and for my country," said the Indian who regularly has to cope with the high expectations of millions of compatriots.