Defending champion Saina Nehwal's inability to hold on to her early leads cost her a spot in the Final as she went down 20-22, 21-17, 19-21 to li Xuereu of China in India Open Super Series here on Saturday .
Saina heads out of the tournament in which she created history last year by becoming the first Indian woman to become the World No 1. With the lone Indian survivor Nehwal losing, the hosts' challenge ends in the tournament.
In a match that lasted for an hour and 12 minutes, current World No 2 gained an early lead in all the three games, but only for li to produce inspirational comebacks to prevent Saina from defend her title. It was her 11th lose to the Chinese in 13 meetings.
Due to Saturday's result, li will face Ratchanok Intanon of Thaliand after she defeated BAE Yeon Ju 21-8, 21-11 in the other semi -final here at Siri Fort Sports Complex on Sunday.
After a great start in front of an active crowd, the Indian took a 6-2 lead. However, the Chinese player won the next two points to reduce the deficit 6-4.
Saina won three out of the next four points to take a 9-5 lead in the game. But, li started her comeback in style by winning the next three points, well aided by Saina's errors. From here on it was a roller coaster ride as both started to win and lose points at the same time. And for the first time in the game, li took the lead, when the Indian hit the ball out to make it 13-12.
Even though Saina won the next point to level it, li won the next three to take a comfortable 16-3 lead.
This time it was Saina's turn to produce the comeback as she won four of the next five points to make it 17-17.
In a closely battled contest, Saina had the first chance to draw the blood she had the game point at 20-19, but a great smash by li leveled the score.
A careless error by Nehwal, gave li here first game point, which she took it with both hands as her smash kissed Saina's far right side of the line to take the first game 22-20. Saina yet again started in front foot as she built a huge 7-1 lead. But, li won four of the next five points to make it 8-5.
But, Saina got her act together and started winning points to build another massive lead. This time the Indian had a 9-point advantage to lead 16-7.
However, the Olympic champion did not give it up easily as she won eight of the next 11 points to make the crowd nervous at 19-17.
However, Saina held her nerve and at the end of a long rally, li hit her short at the net to give Saina the game point.
The Indian made no mistake this time as she produced a great smash and won the second game 21-17 to the delight of the crowd. With a game each, Saina started the proceedings in the final set. Yet again, the World No started in the front foot to a 6-2 lead.
Then, li won five of the next eight points to make it 9-7. However, Saina halted her comeback in style, as the Indian smashed a ball onto the body of li after an intense long rally, which show some fine stroke play.
Then Saina built on that great point to pull out a 14-8 lead.
But, the Indian's inability to hold on to her lead came to her downfall again as li won three straight points to make it 14-11.
From there on it was a back and forth game as they both started to win some and lose the other. With the crowd at the edge of the seat, li hit a crucial point at the net to give the Indian a 18-16 as Saina screamed in joy along with the rest of the supporters.
However, their joy was short-lived as li won the next two points to make it 18-18. Saina then produced a great winner to make it 19-18. But, then the Indian hit it out to level the scores.
Then, li got a bit of luck as a close referral call wet in her favour as she got the match-point.
With Saina hitting the net, li celebrated in joy to leave the fans shell-shocked in the stadium. In the men's semi-final, it was a heartbreak for China's Xue Song, who was stretchered off the court after suffering a ligament tear on his right leg during the against Japan's Kento Momota.
The Chinese shuttler was leading 21-17, 6-3 against the second seed Kento when he hurt himself while returning a shuttle. Kento will now take on Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, who beat Son Wan Ho of Korea 21-11, 21-11.