We are proud of you: PM Narendra Modi to Saina Nehwal

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today praised Saina Nehwal after the ace Indian female shuttler suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the All England badminton championships, saying the country is proud of her for creating history by reaching the summit clash.

"Well played @NSaina! We are very proud of you. You created history by reaching the finals. Keep up the spirit," Modi wrote on his Twitter page.

Olympic bronze medallist Saina quest for becoming the first Indian woman to win the most prestigious All England badminton championship ended in agony after she lost to Spain's Carolina Marin in the summit clash in Birmingham today.

The World No. 3 Indian let go of a huge opportunity to script history as she squandered an opening game lead to go down 21-16, 14-21, 7-21 to the reigning world champion in the women's singles final that lasted for little over an hour.

Olympic bronze medallist, Saina, thus, failed to emulate her long-time coach Pullella Gopichand (2001) and legendary Prakash Padukone (1980), who had won the prestigious title in the past.