Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Saina claims Indonesia Masters after injured Marin limps out of final

Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal claimed her first BWF title in two years after three-time world champion Carolina Marin of Spain limped out of the Indonesia Masters final due to a leg injury, in Jakarta on Sunday.

The London Olympics bronze medallist, who last won a BWF title in 2017 in Malaysia, was trailing 4-10 in the opening game when Marin decided to withdraw from the contest.


"It is important year for all of us. It was not good to see at all. It is painful. I have been getting injured a lot in the last few years and to see something like this on court is really painful," said Saina, who had suffered a career-threatening knee injury at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"I know how it is mentally because when I got that knee injury at the Olympics. I was very upset. I was crying like anything. So I know how difficult it is for a player to go through such kind of injuries but the sport is like that, it is cruel."

It is a creditable performance for the Indian, who had suffered a shin injury late last year.

"I took a break the whole of December. I played this events to see how good I am and I was surprised with myself. January 1 was my first match (PBL) against Sindhu after the injury. I didn't do any kind of training. Doctors asked me not to do any training," Saina said.

"But I am not happy with the way I got it today. Of course I am happy that I could reach the finals, beating difficult opponents like He Bingjiao. Both the tournaments, I am very happy with my performance. It is great to beat (Nozomi) Okuhara, Binjiao, Dinar (Dyah Ayustine).

"In the finals, of course Carolina had the upper hand and I wanted to fight and see how the match goes but it was unfortunate what happened," added the 28-year-old from Hyderabad.

Olympic champion Marin was favourite to win the title. Coming into this match, she led 6-5 in her head-to-head record against Saina, an opponent she beat last week at the Malaysia Masters semifinal in Kuala Lumpur.

The fast-moving Spaniard made a rampaging start to take the first two points before Saina started to engage her in rallies and caught the Spaniard at the net to log her first point.

But the Indian missed the backline a couple of times and also found the net to allow Marin lead 6-2 at the Istora Senayan.

The Spaniard looked in good form, unleashing her aggressive brand of badminton but an unfortunate injury brought a premature end of the match when Marin, leading 9-2, landed badly on her right leg and fall on the court in agony holding her knee.

After a medical time out, Marin tried to continue but eventually collapsed to the ground crying.

She conceded the match at 10-4 up, limping out of the stadium in tears.

For Saina, it turned out to be yet another impressive outing, following the semifinal finish at Malaysia Masters last week.

Next would be All England Championship, a title Saina has not been able to win yet.

"I would not like to comment on that as of now, because I am just happy that these two tournaments were positive but I know that I would need more time to match Tai Tzu and get ready for the big events," Saina said.

"It is still one more month, so let's see how it goes. It will be different slow conditions."

Saina had won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, a bronze at the Asian Games, besides reaching finals at the Denmark, Indonesia Masters and Syed Modi International.

More For You

Shah Rukh Khan

Mannat, a Grade III heritage structure, has been Shah Rukh Khan’s residence since 2001

iStock

Shah Rukh Khan's £1.7m Mumbai home renovation halted by green tribunal

Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic Bandra bungalow, Mannat, is under scrutiny after an environmental activist alleged violations of coastal and heritage regulations during its ongoing renovation. India’s environmental watchdog, known as the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has stepped in to investigate the claims, highlighting the tension between urban development and environmental conservation.
Mannat, a Grade III heritage structure, has been Shah Rukh Khan’s residence since 2001. The bungalow, estimated to be worth around £1.7m (200 crore), is undergoing significant renovations, including the addition of floors to the annexe, expanding its built-up area by 616.02 square metres. However, activist Santosh Daundkar has raised concerns over alleged violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, which are designed to protect Mumbai’s ecologically sensitive coastal areas.


Daundkar’s complaint to the NGT accuses Khan of demolishing two heritage structures without obtaining the necessary environmental clearance. He also alleges the illegal construction of a basement six metres below ground level, involving the extraction of groundwater and minor minerals, both prohibited under CRZ rules. Additionally, Daundkar claims that Khan constructed 12 one-bedroom-hall-kitchen flats under the guise of mass housing and later combined them into a luxury single-family residence, violating India’s Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976.

Keep ReadingShow less
 electricity-pylons-iStock

From 2026, households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity infrastructure will receive bill reductions of up to £2,500 over 10 years. (Representational image: iStock)

Residents near new electricity pylons to get bill reductions

THE GOVERNMENT announced on Monday that households living near new electricity pylons will receive discounts on their energy bills.

The move is part of efforts to expand electricity infrastructure, despite opposition to large-scale projects needed to connect renewable energy to the grid.

Keep ReadingShow less
Samantha Ruth Prabhu breaks gender barriers with equal pay policy in debut production 'Bangaram'

Samantha Ruth Prabhu announces equal pay policy for her debut production Bangaram, setting a new benchmark for inclusivity in South Indian cinema

Instagram/SamanthaRuthPrabhu

Samantha Ruth Prabhu breaks gender barriers with equal pay policy in debut production 'Bangaram'

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is rewriting the rules in South Indian cinema, and this time, it’s not just with her acting. With her first production venture, Bangaram, she’s made headlines for setting a new standard: equal pay for everyone on set, regardless of gender. That’s something rarely seen in an industry where pay gaps are the norm.

When Samantha launched her production house, Tralala Moving Pictures, in December 2023, her vision was clear: tell stories that matter and create an inclusive space for talent. Bangaram, directed by Nandini Reddy, is the company’s debut film, and it’s already turning heads. While the first-look poster generated plenty of buzz, what really caught people’s attention was Samantha’s insistence on fair wages for all cast members, regardless of gender.

Keep ReadingShow less
air-pollution-delhi

New Delhi was ranked as the world's most polluted capital. (Photo: Reuters)

Indian cities among world’s most polluted: report

INDIA continued to dominate global pollution rankings in 2024, with multiple cities among the most affected by dangerous particle smog, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The report, published by Swiss air technology company IQAir, found that Byrnihat was the world’s most polluted metropolitan area last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
SS Rajamouli Enhances Set Security After Mahesh Babu Video Leak

The production team has implemented a three-layer security arrangement to safeguard the remaining schedule

Getty images- Instagram/ urstrulymahesh

SS Rajamouli tightens security on the sets of film with Mahesh Babu after video leak

SS Rajamouli, the visionary director behind global blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR, is once again making waves with his next ambitious project, tentatively titled SSMB 29. Starring Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, this jungle adventure has become one of the most anticipated films in Indian cinema. However, the journey to bring this cinematic spectacle to life has been anything but smooth, as the production grapples with leaks and heightened security measures to protect its secrets.

The buzz around SSMB 29

Since its announcement, SSMB 29 has been the talk of the town. The film marks the first collaboration between Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu, two powerhouses of Indian cinema. While details about the plot remain tightly under wraps, rumours suggest it is a high-octane jungle adventure with globetrotting elements. The film’s story is penned by Rajamouli’s father, Vijayendra Prasad, who is renowned for crafting epic narratives like Baahubali and RRR.

Keep ReadingShow less