Saina loses to Carolina in quarters of Indonesia Open

Olympic-bound ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal was disposed off by World No. 1 Carolina Marin of Spain in the quarterfinals of the USD 900,000 Indonesia Super Series Premier here today.

London Olympic bronze medallist, Saina, who has won the Indonesia title three times in the past, failed to breach the defence of Carolina and lost 22-24 11-21 to the All England and World Champion after a 47-minute battle in women's singles competition.

Eight seed Saina had lagged behind 7-13 in the opening game at one stage but the Indian showed tremendous grit to fight back and grab the lead 16-14 and then 19-16, only to let the advantage slip as the Spaniard earned the bragging rights.

In the second game, Saina was no where as the top seed dominated right from the start and kept distancing herself from the Indian to comfortably shut the door on the 25-year-old from Hyderabad.