PM tweets: 'Saina, we are proud of you'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, praised Saina Nehwal after the ace Indian female shuttler suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the All England badminton championships.

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

- Marin beats Saina to clinch All England badminton title

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 on Sunday.

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.

Image: Saina Nehwal

Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images for Falcon