India Open: 'Super Saina' becomes World Number One; is first Indian woman shuttler to achieve historic feat

Saina Nehwal created history on Saturday as she became the first Indian woman shuttler to attain the world number one ranking after her closest challenger, Spain's Carolina Marin, lost in the India Open Super Series semifinal.

Though the official rankings will be out only on Thursday next week, the 25-year-old Indian has been assured of her ascent to the top owing to Marin's loss in the last-four stage.The reigning world champion, who was seeded second, lost to third seed Thai Ratchanok Intanon 21-19 21-23 22-20. Earlier, Prakash Padukone had the distinction of being the No. 1 men's badminton player.

Saina became the first Indian woman to achieve this feat. Though she plays Japan's Yui Hashimoto in the second semifinal on the same day, still the No. 1 spot will be hers irrespective of her result.

The London Olympic bronze-medallist has won a staggering 14 international titles in her glorious career, and most recently she became the first Indian woman to make the finals of the prestigious All England Championships in Manchester.